Kentucky hires Nebraska assistant as gymnastics coach

The University of Kentucky has hired Nebraska assistant Tim Garrison as its new gymnastics head coach, the school announced Thursday.

"Tim Garrison is a great fit for this university and our gymnastics program," Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a news release. "Tim has all of the essentials that we look for in a head coach and he knows what it takes to get this program to the next level. During his time at Nebraska, he helped lead the program to three NCAA national competitions and two Super Six appearances."

Garrison replaces Mo Mitchell, who parted ways with UK last fall. Assistant Chuck Dickerson and Heather Hite coached the team this past season while Barnhart conducted a national search for Mitchell's replacement.

Garrison, the third head coach in the history of the Wildcats program, is a native of Conroe, Texas. In five seasons at Nebraska, he served as the Huskers' vault, floor exercise and strength and conditioning coach, while also helping in all facets of recruiting.

"I really like the challenge of competing in the best gymnastics conference in the country and we are excited about climbing the Southeastern Conference ladder," Garrison said in the UK release.

This story was originally published April 28, 2011 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Kentucky hires Nebraska assistant as gymnastics coach."