Mike Garland grew up in Granite City and attended Granite City High School. He earned
a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Driver’s Education while wrestling at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Mr. Garland began his teaching and coaching career in 1975 in the Madison School District. While at Madison he coached football, baseball, soccer, and track, and was also the assistant wrestling coach at Granite City High School. In 1987 he left Madison to accept the position of head wrestling coach at Granite City High School. While at Granite City High School he taught Physical Education and Driver’s Education. Mr. Garland dedicated over 20 years of coaching at his alma mater. Prior to coaching, he enjoyed a decorated career on the mat at Granite City, where he was the Captain of the wrestling team and led the team in pins and points. He was All-Metro, All Conference, All Area on his way to qualifying for the IHSA State Tournament during the one class system when only 16 wrestlers qualified for state. Mr. Garland compiled a career coaching record of 274-40-2, helping the Warriors to become the winningest wrestling program in the United States. In February of 1998 Granite City High School became the first wrestling program in the country to win 1000 dual meets. The Wrestling Warriors enjoyed an incredible tournament and dual team run under Mr. Garland’s leadership, as they finishing in the top 8 in state 7 times, including placing 4 th in 1999. In 1995 Granite City Warrior Wrestling team was 25-0, # 1 in the State and # 10 in the country, but the team lost its chance at a state title when the IHSA Dual Team State Tournament was cancelled. In 12 years Mr. Garland’s teams won 49 tournaments, 9 Conference, 8 Regional and 7 Sectional titles. In all, 57 wrestlers qualified for state under Mike’s tutelage, 12 state place winners, 5 state finalists with T.J. Slay (1995, 130 lbs.) and John Venne (1996, 160 lbs.) both won IHSA State Championships.
Awards:
1981 ASA Class A State Champions. All State HM.
1982 ASA Class AA State Champions.
1995 “Illinois Wrestling Coach of the Year”
1996 “Granite City Sports Hall of Fame”
2001 “Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame”
2012 Wrestling 1992 Team inducted “Granite City Sports Hall of Fame”
2019 Wrestling 1995 Team inducted “Granite City Sports Hall of Fame”
2023 “Grand Marshall” Boys IHSA State Wrestling Tournament
Mr. Garland is the proud father of Julia Garland, Drury University graduate, actor,
comedian, and martial artist. Mr. Garland is looking forward to joining the Father McGivney
team!