Spring Break
A fill in coach for the record books
Lauren Simcik
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
When University of Houston-Victoria head baseball coach Terry Puhl headed for Canada to coach the Olympic team, he promised to find a talented and sufficient coach in his absence.
Coach Puhl fulfilled that promise by bringing Phil Garner, former head coach of the Houston Astros, to coach the Jaguars.
Garner led the team to a 6-1 record while in Victoria and made a lasting impression on many of the players.
It's been an exciting and good experience," Jaguars pitcher Brandon Castolenia said. "It's been good to bring someone from the pro level to the team."
"It's been fun, and coach Garner knows a lot about baseball," pitcher Trent Carouthers said. "He keeps us loose in the dugout."
The coaching staff mentioned that they couldn't ask for a better interim coach than coach Garner.
"What more could you ask for," assistant coach Doug Heinold said. "He knows the game extremely well."
Garner spent 16 years in the major leagues and was a part of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburg Pirates. He also managed the Houston Astros to their first trip to the World Series in 2005.
Garner mentioned that he was enjoying coaching at the college level. "These guys are playing for the love of the game and I'm excited that I can help them out," he said.
"If I can help someone out, then I'm glad," he said.
Garner also said that Victoria had been very receptive of his coaching.
"They have shown great enthusiasm and it's exciting," he said.
Coach Terry Puhl returned to the Jaguars March 16.
Coach Puhl fulfilled that promise by bringing Phil Garner, former head coach of the Houston Astros, to coach the Jaguars.
Garner led the team to a 6-1 record while in Victoria and made a lasting impression on many of the players.
It's been an exciting and good experience," Jaguars pitcher Brandon Castolenia said. "It's been good to bring someone from the pro level to the team."
"It's been fun, and coach Garner knows a lot about baseball," pitcher Trent Carouthers said. "He keeps us loose in the dugout."
The coaching staff mentioned that they couldn't ask for a better interim coach than coach Garner.
"What more could you ask for," assistant coach Doug Heinold said. "He knows the game extremely well."
Garner spent 16 years in the major leagues and was a part of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburg Pirates. He also managed the Houston Astros to their first trip to the World Series in 2005.
Garner mentioned that he was enjoying coaching at the college level. "These guys are playing for the love of the game and I'm excited that I can help them out," he said.
"If I can help someone out, then I'm glad," he said.
Garner also said that Victoria had been very receptive of his coaching.
"They have shown great enthusiasm and it's exciting," he said.
Coach Terry Puhl returned to the Jaguars March 16.