Defensive Backs
BORN
Nov. 16, 1969; Refugio, Texas. EDUCATION
Refugio High School; University of Texas 1993. COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Texas 1994-96 (graduate assistant), Western Michigan 1997-2000, TCU 2001-03, Tarleton State 2004, North Dakota State 2005-08, Tennessee 2009-present. BOWL GAME COACHING HISTORY
1994 Sun, 1995 Sugar, 1997 Fiesta, 2001 Galleryfurniture.com, 2002 Liberty, 2003 Fort Worth.
STAFF THE VOLS REVIEW HONORS RECORDS VOLMANAC
Willie Mack Garza brings to Tennessee a wealth of experience in the defensive secondary. The Texas native comes to the Vols after four seasons at North Dakota State, where for the last three years he served as defensive coordinator. He was named the defensive backs coach for the Bison in February 2005. Garza arrived at North Dakota State after one season as the defensive secondary coach at Tarleton State University. Garza spent three seasons at TCU, coaching the Horned Frogs’ cornerbacks from 2001-03. He groomed two-time all-conference cornerback Jason Goss, who tied the school record with eight interceptions during the 2002 season and tied for fifth in career picks with 14. During Garza’s stay at TCU, the Horned Frogs won the 2002 Conference USA title and played in the 2001 Galleryfurniture.com Bowl in Houston, the 2002 Liberty Bowl and 2003 Fort Worth Bowl. Garza was defensive backs coach at Western Michigan under head coach Gary Darnell from 1997-2000. Western ended the 2000 season with a 9-3 record, dropping the Mid-American Conference championship game to Marshall. The Broncos were fourth nationally in scoring defense, ninth in total defense and 13th in passing defense. Prior to Western Michigan, Garza was a graduate assistant at Texas from 1994-96, working with the Longhorns cornerbacks and special teams. He was a four-year starter for the Longhorns from 1988-92 as a cornerback and free safety. He earned Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year, an allconference selection, and Freshman All-America in 1988. Garza played for three years under David McWilliams and one season under John Mackovic at Texas. Garza received his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993, and is working toward a master’s degree in the same field. Garza was an All-America prep running back at Refugio High School in Refugio, Texas, and three-time all-state selection as a running back and defensive back. He was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame in April 2000.
Defensive Back, Texas 1988, 1990-92.
COACHING CAREER
OUTLOOK
Willie Mack Garza
PERSONAL DATA
2009 VOLUNTEERS FOOTBALL
71