Terence Garvin joins the Norfolk State coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season as the Spartans’ defensive coordinator.
A former NFL player with distinguished coaching experience, Garvin comes to Norfolk State after spending three years at Florida Memorial.
Garvin most recently held the role of co-defensive coordinator at FMU alongside Norfolk State safeties coach Jabo Smith. Under the pair’s leadership, the Lions played an aggressive style of football, and it paid off – FMU forced a SUN-conference best 13 fumbles in 2024. The Lions intercepted 13 passes as well, ranking second in the league.
Prior to his promotion to co-defensive coordinator, Garvin coached linebackers and held the title of defensive run-game coordinator. The Lions produced the conference’s leading tackler, Joshua Mimms, while finishing first in the NAIA in tackles for loss as a team.
Under Garvin’s mentorship, FMU cornerback Marcell Blocker earned the 2024 SUN Conference Defensive Back of the Year award after recording 13 tackles, three interceptions, and six pass breakups.
Playing linebacker at West Virginia, Garvin was a member of the BCS Orange Bowl Championship team that defeated Clemson. He went on to play for a total of six seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins.
Following his time in the NFL, Garvin played in the inaugural Alliance of American Football League for the Orlando Apollos, then joined the XFL as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Garvin graduated from West Virginia University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies.
