West Monroe (Louisiana) dismisses football coach Todd Garvin

Garvin had been on administrative leave after recent heat-related incidents involving several players

Todd Garvin won his first game as head football coach at traditional Louisiana power West Monroe.

As it turned out, it was the only game he will coach for the Rebels.

On Monday, Garvin was relieved of his duties as coach by West Monroe school administration. He had been placed on administrative leave since Sept. 5 stemming from the latest incident involving a player experiencing heat-related issues.

The day before, during a practice on Sept. 4, a player was taken to an area hospital. It was also the fourth time this season a West Monroe player had to be taken to the hospital due to heat-related issues.

Earlier this summer, two players received fluids for dehydration, and another player was transferred to a hospital in Shreveport after still experiencing symptoms.

Garvin, a former longtime assistant at West Monroe, took over the Rebels in the offseason after spending the previous two seasons as coach at Ouachita Parish. He led the Rebels to a 14-3 win against Sterlington on Sept. 1.

In an interview with The Ouachita Citizen on Monday after West Monroe's decision, Garvin expressed regret over the various incidents involving the players.

"I make mistakes," Garvin said in the interview. "I'm not perfect. There's only one perfect person in the world, and I'm not him. I am regretful of the situation. I made a mistake. I feel like what we're doing and what I'm doing and my vision is right.

"It's what's best for the team in trying to build a culture. Hospitalizing kids is not part of that plan. Some unfortunate things happen. Sometimes they're the coaches fault. I take responsibility. Not only for that kid but also the other kids that were hospitalized under my direction."

Garvin also reiterated that he and his staff did not break any Louisiana High School Athletic Association rules in regards to practicing players in extreme heat.

"We did not violate any LHSAA rules," he said in the interview with The Ouachita Citizen. "We tested the wet bulb 30 minutes prior. It was documented that day, as well as every day." 

Offensive coordinator Kevin Davis, who took over as coach on an interim basis, will serve as the interim coach the remainder of the season. This past Friday, the Rebels improved to 2-0 following a 34-20 win against East Ascension.

(Feature photo by Jimmy Jones)

-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveLA