By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

It’s sort of like old times for former Troup High wrestling coach Dariel Daniel.

He helped build a dynasty at Troup in part with the help of the Garner family.

Brothers Craig Garner and Drew Garner each were part of state-championship teams during their wrestling days at Troup, and Craig Garner, now the school’s head baseball coach, won an individual state title and was later an assistant under Daniel

Daniel has been gone for nearly 10 years, but this week, he’s back at his old school for a wrestling camp, and the other two instructors are two of his prized pupils, Drew Garner and Craig Garner.

Also, six young Garners – including Craig Garner’s three boys – are participating in the camp.

“It’s a second generation of Garners,” Daniel said during a break in the action Tuesday morning.

Daniel said having wrestlers like the Garners made his job a lot easier.

“You have people like that who work hard,” Daniel said. “They never missed practice. They were there every day. And Craig was the best assistant you could ever have. He was outstanding.”

Drew Garner, who graduated from Troup in 2001 after winning a couple of state titles, said he wanted to give his nephews a chance to learn the sport that has meant so much to him.

“We have six nephews coming up, and we’re trying to introduce them to the sport, to get them interested in something they’ll enjoy as much as we did,” said Drew Garner, who wrestled in college before returning to his hometown to sell real estate. “It’s kind of like what Craig did with us. We were about the same age when we got on the mat. We’re just trying to pass down the knowledge.”

Having a coach with 12 state titles on his resume helping out doesn’t hurt.

“We had this scheduled, and we asked (Daniel) if he wanted to help out,” Drew Garner said.

Daniel helped out at a camp at Callaway High the past few years, but this is his first time being back at his old school in a coaching capacity.

Daniel had a remarkable run at Troup, winning nine state titles before leaving following the 2002 season.

At Allen High in Texas, Daniel has been an assistant coach on a team that has three state titles, giving him 12 championships overall.

Daniel is also the head coach for the middle-school team that serves as a feeder system for Allen High.

“I love being around young people and kids and seeing them progress and be successful,” Daniel said. “Even now, with my middle schoolers, to see them win that match and see the thrill of it means a lot.”

Daniel said he has “committed one more year” to his school in Texas, and after that he may return to Troup County, although he isn’t sure what he’ll do.

One thing he is fairly sure of is he’ll be coaching in some capacity.

“I’ll coach somewhere until I die,” Daniel said. “I don’t want to give wrestling up.”