Rene G. Garza
Inducted 2006
Hometown: San Antonio
High School: Fox Tech High School
College: St. Mary’s University, Our Lady of the Lake University
Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball
b. March 21, 1952
Garza was inducted into the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010, becoming the first coach from the Rio Grande Valley to do so.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University in 1975 and his Master of Education degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1978. He coached briefly in San Antonio before moving to the Valley and coached boys’ basketball in Weslaco and Mercedes.
He moved to Mission High to coach girls’ basketball in 1996 to 2012 for 16 years, guiding them to the first-ever district championship in 21 years. His teams reached 10 state playoff appearances and has been named District, Area, and Valley Coach of the Year numerous times. In 28 years as a coach, he posted an overall coaching record of 518 wins with 298 losses. He retired in 2012 after 36 years in the education profession.
Garza has accomplished several recognitions for his service and coaching to the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA). He was named the Class 4A/5A South All-Star head coach for the TGCA All-Star Game in 2010, and served as assistant coach in 2003. He is the first coach from the Valley to coach in two TGCA All-Star games. Garza served two terms as TGCA Board of Directors 1999-2003 and 2005-2009 and was state chairman of the Basketball Committee in 1998. He received the Texas High School Coaches Association 25 Years of Service award in 2008.
He was a founding member of the South Padre Island Coaches Clinic in 1983 and has served as a Coordinator since 1996. He served as President for the RGV Sports Hall of Fame from 2002-04 and has served as a board member since 1995. In 2022, Rene Garza was inducted into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.