At Harding
Rusty Garner joined the women's basketball coaching staff in 2024-25.
Before Harding
Garner spent four years as the assistant girls coach at Harding Academy, helping the Lady Wildcats to the 2004 Class AA state championship. In 2007, he took over as head coach and compiled a 374-164 record over the next 17 seasons, averaging 22 wins per year. The Lady Wildcats advanced to the state tournament in 15 of those 17 seasons making the state quarterfinals eight times, the state semifinals three times and the state championship game in 2014. The team also won eight conference tournaments and reached nine regional finals.
Garner was named conference coach of the year nine times, state coach of the year in 2014 and coached in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star game four times.
Garner also led the Harding Academy softball team as head coach for 13 seasons where the team advanced to the state semifinals four times and the state championship game twice.
Education
Garner earned his Bachelor of Arts in in kinesiology at Harding in 2004 and his master's in kinesiology and sport administration in 2022.
Family
Garner is married to the former Rachel Roland of Memphis, Tennessee.
