Mike Garland has dedicated nearly twenty years of coaching at his alma mater, Granite City High School. He wrestled for and was an assistant coach for Hall of Fame coach William “Red” Schmitt. Prior to coaching, he enjoyed a decorated career on the mat at GCHS, where he was the captain of the team and led the team in pins and points. He was All-Metro, All Conference and All Area on his way to qualifying for the IHSA State Tournament during the one class system. 

In 1987 Mike became the head wrestling coach at GCHS. He has compiled a career coaching record of 274-40-2, helping the Warriors to become the winningest high school wrestling program in the United States. In February of 1998, Granite City High School became the first wrestling program in the country to win a combined 1000 dual meets. 

The Wrestling Warriors enjoyed an incredible tournament and dual team run under Coach Garland’s leadership, as they finished in the top eight in state seven times, including placing 4th in 1999. In 1995 the Granite City Wrestling Warriors were 25-0, # 1 in the State and # 10 in the Nation, but the team lost its chance at a state title when the IHSA State Tournament was cancelled. 

In twelve years, Garland’s teams won 49 tournaments, 9 Conference, 8 Regional and 7 IHSA Sectional titles. Under Coach Garland’s tutelage, Granite City had 57 individual state qualifiers, 12 state place winners, 5 state finalists, and 2 State Champions, T.J. Slay (1995,43-0, 130 lbs.) and John Venne (1996, 160 lbs.) 

In 1995, Mike was named Illinois “Coach of the Year.” In 2001, he was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame and in 2023; he served as a Grand Marshal at the IHSA Individual State Tournament. Coach Garland was also inducted into the Granite City High School Hall of Fame in 1996 and his 1992, 1994 and 1995 teams have also been inducted. 

Mike is the proud father of professional actress Julia Garland, Drury University graduate, actor, dancer, comedian and professionally trained in yoga and martial arts. Julia has performed for Pam Tillis, Oakridge Boys, Barbara Fairchild, Yakov Smirnoff, St. Louis Cardinals, McDonalds, Schnuck’s, Monsanto, Silver Dollar City, (over 2000 shows) and also sang the National Anthem at the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament. This is Coach Garland’s proudest moment!