Pat Garvin, a 2014 Bethany Lutheran College graduate, has been named the next head men’s basketball coach at Bethany, announced today. Garvin comes to BLC after serving the last three seasons as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Minnesota State University in Mankato.
“I would like to thank President Gene Pfeifer and Director of Athletics Don Westphal as well as all involved with the search process for selecting me as the next head coach of the men’s basketball program at Bethany,” said Garvin. “I could not be more excited about this opportunity to be ‘coming home’ and leading a program that means so much to me. Words can not express my feelings towards the basketball program and Bethany itself, I am pumped to be back! My wife and I look forward to building relationships with the players and their families along with the very proud administration, faculty, and alums of Bethany.
“I would also like to thank Matt Margenthaler, Mike Schott, and all the players at Minnesota State for the opportunity to work alongside them the past few years at such an elite program,” he continued. “It was an absolute privilege to work with them and look forward to watching their continued success.”
Over the last three seasons, the Mavericks have made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round in 2017-18. Garvin was named a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Under Armour 30-Under-30 award winner in 2017-18, which recognizes a group of up and coming young coaches in men’s college basketball.
Prior to MSU, Garvin was the assistant men’s basketball coach at Benedictine University in Mesa, Arizona for two seasons, was a graduate assistant at MSU for the previous two seasons, and was an assistant coach at Bethany in 2013-14.
“As a former Viking student-athlete, Pat Garvin exemplifies Bethany in so many ways,” said Westphal. “First and foremost is his understanding and articulation of our Christian mission and how that is integrated into all aspects of our campus.
“Strictly in terms of basketball, Pat was a key member on championship-caliber teams wearing a Viking uniform,” he continued. “He’s carried that winning approach into coaching stops here at Bethany, in Arizona, and during his stints at Minnesota State. With a tremendous work ethic and a passion for mentoring and recruiting, Pat is committed to continuing the success Bethany men’s basketball represents on the court and in the classroom. We look forward to having a Bethany Viking back on the sidelines coaching our team for many seasons to come.”
During his time as a student-athlete, the Vikings won the 2011-12 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season championship, and qualified for the conference tournament all four years. Garvin continues to rank in the top 10 of five career categories and in two season categories.
The Jackson, Minn. native earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethany in broad field social studies in 2014, and earned his master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2016.
