Jarrod GarnettBETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Lehigh head coach Pat Santoro has announced the addition of Jarrod Garnett to the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff. A three-time ACC Champion and 2013 All-American for Virginia Tech, Garnett will serve as Lehigh's volunteer assistant while also training with the Lehigh Valley Athletic Club. He will work primarily with Lehigh's lightweights, including returning All-Americans Darian Cruz and Mason Beckman.
"Lehigh is a place that has a rich tradition and history in wrestling," Garnett said. "I competed there as an athlete in Grace Hall, and coached there just this past year. It's a great environment and a great atmosphere. The coaching staff has done and will continue to do a lot of great things with the program."
Garnett spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach at Bucknell where he coached NCAA qualifier Paul Petrov at 125 pounds.
"We're excited to bring Jarrod in to help develop our lightweights," Santoro said. "Having someone of his stature on our staff will continue to help our program. He will also have an opportunity to compete, which is something he still wants to do."
A career 125-pounder at Virginia Tech, Garnett posted three 30-win seasons, and amassed a 126-29 career record, with the 126 wins tying for third most in program history. The 2009 ACC Freshman of the Year, Garnett won ACC titles in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and was the Outstanding Wrestler at the 2013 ACC Tournament. In his senior season, Garnett earned All-America honors with a sixth place finish at 125, rallying from a first round upset loss to win five straight matches.
A four-time NCAA qualifier, Garnett posted 63 dual meet victories, 61 career bonus wins, and 24 wins by fall during his time in Blacksburg. He reached the finals at the prestigious Midlands Championships in each of the last three seasons, winning a title as a senior in December 2012 and finishing second in 2011 and 2013. Last year, Garnett competed as a post-graduate.
"One of the things that sold me was not just the vision for the program and the direction that its heading in, but also the opportunity to continue competing in the near future with the LVAC."
Garnett's freestyle credentials include being a two-time University Nationals All-American, highlighted by a second place finish in 2012. He has also competed at the US Open and the University World Team Trials.
A Newark, Del., native, Garnett earned a bachelor's degree in apparel, housing and resource management, with a focus on consumer studies, from Virginia Tech. He was twice a Dean's List member.
Garnett replaces Drew Headlee, who accepted a coaching position at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, in August.
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