From 1980-1995 Coach Garner served as head men's basketball coach at Arkansas College/Lyon College, and from 1986-2007 he was director of athletics. He stepped down as director of athletics in 2007 to be closer to his family in Little Rock and to pursue other professional opportunities.

Coach Garner left a tremendous legacy on the courts and on the campus. For more than a quarter of a century, he served as a mentor, teacher, and friend to those who were fortunate to play and work for him. He was widely respected by the campus and community, as well as by his peers in the athletic world.

At Lyon College, Coach Garner took a leadership role in the construction of Scots Baseball Field, the Kelley Complex, and Huser Soccer Field, and the College witnessed its student-athlete population grow from just 35 student-athletes to more than 170. He also oversaw the addition of men’s and women’s soccer, women’s golf, and women’s fast-pitch softball programs, as well as the restart of baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball.

Over his illustrious career, Coach Garner earned numerous honors and recognitions for his work at Lyon College, including TranSouth Athletic Director of the Year, NAIA District 17 Coach of the Year, NAIA Area V National Coach of the Year and AIC Coach of the Year. He was a recipient of the Lyon College Champion Award and was named to the athletic halls of fame at both the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Lyon College. In 2008, he was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame.

For the past few years, he served as a member of the Lyon College Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

"Please keep the Garner family in your thoughts and prayers," Jenkins said. "He will be missed."