Tim and Rachel Garrison work well together as UK's head coach and associate coach for the successful gymnastics team. (Vicky Graff Photo)
When Kentucky gymnastics coach Tim Garrison needed a new beam coach, he didn’t have to look far for the best candidate.
His wife, Rachel, was an accomplished club coach and when UK officials encouraged him to hire the best possible candidate, he knew that was his wife.
“She did still have to apply for the position but I thought about it and I knew who the best candidate possible was,” Tim Garrison said. “I asked if she would be interested in doing it. She took some time but then said she would. She got the job and the beam team has been phenomenal.”
Rachel Garrison’s coaching experience spans over 20 years and this is her seventh season as UK gymnastics associate head coach after a four-year stint as assistant coach. In 2018 and 2023 she was named the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women National Assistant Coach of the Year.
“She is our recruiting coordinator because she has a great eye for talent. She finds athletes others might miss and things you look for to make a successful college gymnast,” Tim Garrison said. “She will find somebody in a gym I have never heard of competing under the radar and bring them in and help them achieve their potential.”
Tim Garrison has a simple way to avoid conflict with his wife during meets.
“I stay as far away from the beam as possible. I don’t offer advice unless asked,” the UK head coach said. “Beam is different and you have to be dialed in. I stay as far away as I can. She is very good at what she does and I feel very comfortable with the decisions she makes.
“At homes we have discussions about lineups and other things but we have enjoyed a lot of success in this program. I enjoy working with her so much.She has her own office. We do our own thing but having her on the staff is nothing but a positive.”
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Kentucky will host No. 1 LSU on Friday night.
