Garrison Signs Contract Extension Through 2026
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky gymnastics’ all-time winningest head coach, Tim Garrison, has signed a contract extension through 2026, athletics director Mitch Barnhart announced Thursday.
“We’re excited to extend Coach Garrison’s contract and keep him in the Blue and White,” Barnhart said. “He’s done a remarkable job in coaching our team to its greatest heights and look forward to continued success in the future.”
Garrison has been at the helm of Kentucky gymnastics since 2012 and has transformed the program with numerous records and historic moments in the last 11 seasons.
“I want to thank our athletics director, Mitch Barnhart, and my administrative sports liaison, Heather McAtee, for the trust they are again placing in me,” Garrison said. “I would also like to thank my staff for their tireless efforts, the student-athletes who have worked so hard to advance this program, and my family for their constant love and support.”
The 2018 National Coach of the Year has tallied 11 All-America student-athletes and set a record for the highest team score in program history with a 197.750 in 2022. Garrison has taken the program to the NCAA Championship regionals every year of his Kentucky coaching career with the program making its first team debut at the NCAA Championships finals in 2018. However, Kentucky has been represented by individual competitors in eight consecutive final rounds of the Championships. Garrison saw his highest season-ending ranking of No. 9 at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
The success has not stopped in the gym but continued in the classroom. Kentucky gymnastics posted the highest grade-point average in the Southeastern Conference with a 3.59 in 2022. UK also recorded the highest number of Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Scholastic All-Americans with 14. The team was named Scholastic Team on the Year at the UK CATSPY Awards this past season.
“The opportunity to continue leading this incredible group of young women and those who will follow in their footsteps is a responsibility I accept and an honor I cherish,” Garrison stated.
Garrison is a native of Conroe, Texas, and graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1995. Tim is married to UK gymnastics associate head coach Rachel Garrison and the father of three daughters and two sons.
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