Garman returns as Ephrata girls coach

Mike Garman, who spent six years as Ephrata girls coach before stepping down in 2001, will return as head coach of the program next season, a spokesperson at Ephrata High School confirmed Monday.

Garman, who was a volunteer assistant for the Ephrata boys' varsity team under head coach Dave Dubbs the last three years, replaces Loren Souder, who stepped down earlier this spring after three years as head coach of the Lady Mounts.

Reached at his home Monday afternoon, Garman said he is excited to be back coaching the girls.

"I'm very excited to be back," he said. "We are going to be really young so it may take a little time for me to get things back together, but I'm really happy about it. Coaching is something that can be very rewarding and also at times very frustrating. However, my six years I spent in the Ephrata (girls) program before was just a really good experience. I was fortunate to have some very good kids then and I'm looking forward to working with these current girls as well."

Under Souder, the EHS girls went 24-44, including a record of 8-15 a year ago.

Garman's best season at Ephrata came in 1999-2000 when he led the Lady Mounts to an 18-8 record, including an 11-3 mark in Section One. He was named coach of the year in the L-L League that season.

Unfortunately, his job required a lot of travel and he was unable at the time to commit his full energy to the program so he stepped down.

This time around, his job shouldn't be an issue for him since he is retiring on July 15.

"I will definitely have more time to devote to the program," he said. "In 2001 I tried to juggle both but it just didn't work. Now, a large part of my focus will be on coaching. I've never been in a situation where I've been able to do that because it's always been a juggling act. I'm real excited about that."

As for leaving the boys' staff, Garman, who has had coaching stints at Cocalico ('76-80), Millersville University ('81-'83) and Lancaster Catholic ('89-'91), said he enjoyed his time working under current EHS boys coach Dave Dubbs.

"Dave was great to work with, in fact the whole staff was," he said. "That first year when we went to States was a tremendous experience. Dave's a real good coach. I really enjoyed the last couple years and actually learned some things which maybe I can use with the girls."