After 18 years as assistant coach, Tim Garrett will replace Jim Van Es as head coach of Darlington’s boys’ varsity basketball team.
“We are very excited about Tim taking over the reigns as head coach,” said Bob Stinchcomb, athletic director. “He brings with him many years of experience as an integral member of Coach Van Es’ coaching staff. He already knows our student-athletes and our school community and, because of this, he is a great asset to Darlington. We are very fortunate to have benefited from Tim’s quality coaching for many years and we look forward to making even more strides with him at the helm.”
Garrett, who teaches science at the Upper School, joined Darlington’s coaching staff in 1994 under the leadership of Van Es. Since then, the boys’ varsity team has won five region championships; made five “Sweet 16,” two “Elite 8” and one “Final 4” appearance; produced two All-Region Players of the Year; and had 10 student-athletes go on to play NCAA basketball, one of whom was named an All-American. As leader of the junior varsity program, he also has an 84% winning rate.
Garrett credits his coaching mentors, Van Es and recently retired Model High School head coach Andy Akin, with preparing him to lead.
“I am really excited about my new role with the team,” Garrett said. “Working with Coach Van Es for 18 years, I have learned so much and absorbed part of the game you don’t often think about. He is great with kids – not only teaching them the Xs and Os of the game, but working with them on the mental aspects of the game, interacting with them, and supporting them both on the court and in the classroom. That’s really going to help me. Coach Van Es is a great role model, as is Andy Akin. With the knowledge I’ve gained from these two men alone, I feel well prepared. I’m ready for this opportunity to mold our program and move it forward.”
Garrett holds a B.A. in Math and Computer Science from Emory University and an M.Ed. in Technology from Lesley University. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the All-South basketball team from 1987-1990 and was named UAA Conference Player of the Year in 1989 and 1990. An NCAA Division III All-American, he was also part of the Wilkins Pro-Am Basketball League All-Tournament Team from 1993-2000. His stellar performance on the court earned him the honor of being inducted into Emory University’s Sports Hall of Fame. In 2011, he was named to Emory University’s All-Time Team for 25 Years.
“Being a coach is not just about teaching athletes how to play a sport,” Garrett said. “Coaching is an alliance between individuals designed to promote and enhance the lifelong process of human learning, effectiveness and fulfillment. A coach is a mentor, a teacher, a role model and sometimes a friend. As a coach, I have an unwavering commitment to what is best for my players – their education. Only a small percentage of student-athletes will participate in sports on a professional level, but all student-athletes possess the ability to help improve the world through education.”
Garrett has already identified several goals. First, he wants to grow Darlington’s basketball program under the “one-school” philosophy. By building cohesion among the coaches of each team and fostering unity between all divisions, he says the basketball program will be one big community of coaches and players helping and supporting one another. He also plans to implement a more up-tempo style of play that, he feels, will maximize the talents of the student-athletes currently on the varsity team.
“The desire to see an athlete learn, improve his skills and compete is one of the keys to an effective coaching program,” Garrett said. “The other key is the continued education of all coaches. As coaches, it is necessary to stay current on new trends, best practices and other topics that assist in the continued enhancement of our program. I am committed to using all my knowledge, abilities and resources to making each player and coach on my team successful, and I look forward to a great season with the Darlington Tigers men’s basketball team.”
