Bryant alum Garrett Bock carries on family tradition, returns to lead Hornets baseball program

By Kevin Bohannon | Photos by Jimmy Jones 

A familiar name is leading the Bryant High School baseball program. Monday night, the Bryant School Board approved the hiring of former Hornet player Garrett Bock Monday. In addition to his baseball duties, Bock will also coach running backs as a part of new Hornets football coach Quad Sanders’ staff. 

Baseball is a family affair for the Bocks, and the name is known nationwide in the prep baseball community. Garrett Bock’s father, Kirk, began his Bryant tenure as the school’s head baseball coach. He won state championships in 2010 (With Garrett on the team), 2012, 2014 and 2016. He joined former football coach Buck James’ staff as the offensive coordinator seven years ago and was recently hired as the school’s athletic director to replace Mike Lee, who is leaving at the end of the month to become the maintenance supervisor at the South Conway School District.

Garrett Bock’s late grandfather, Billy, won more than 600 high school baseball games in his 29-year Hall of Fame career and helped his teams to nine state championships, including six at Pine Bluff High School. Both pairs of fathers and sons won state championships together. Kirk Bock finished his career with a 606-153 record and was the 2016 NFHS Coaches Association 2016 National Coach of the Year.

“The great thing is it never goes away,” Garrett Bock said. “People always ask about dad and my grandfather. It means so much to our family the Arkansas baseball community recognizes what they have done. It is hard to put into words.”

Garrett Bock, a 2010 BHS grad - who played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas, has followed in his dad and grandfather’s footsteps already notching coaching stops at Hot Springs Lakeside and Greenbrier.

“He’s been around the game all his life,” Kirk Bock said. “Growing up with me and getting to watch my dad coach. He’s a baseball guy, and it means a lot to carry on this tradition. It was tough for me to live up to the expectations of my dad. There’s pressure, but he knows that and accepts it.”

Garrett Bock takes over for Travis Queck, a former Kirk Bock assistant, who stepped down as head baseball coach after seven seasons to take over as the Hornets football defensive coordinator.

“It is just surreal. I have watched this program for 14 years now and to be in charge is an honor. I am excited”, Garrett Bock said.

Garrett Bock spent five years at Hot Springs Lakeside, the last two as the head coach compiling a 33-15 record with one state tournament appearance. He led Greenbrier to the state tournament and a 19-8 record this past season.

“I’d like to thank the administrations and communities of Lakeside and Greenbrier,” Garrett Bock said. “We had nothing but good times at both places.”

The Hornets are coming off an 18-9 season that saw them exit the state tournament in the first round. Bock will have a talented, veteran roster to work with in his first season as the head Hornet.

University of Arkansas commit Gideon Motes, University of Oklahoma commit Ridge Southerland and all-state shortstop/pitcher Grant Johnson add leadership as seniors next season.

As the AD, Kirk Bock will be his son’s boss.

“It will be good,” Garrett Bock said. “Dad has always communicated with me. He has been to our practices and games the past few years. Our relationship won’t change, and it will be great to see him every day.”

Kirk Bock said he will enjoy being a part of the Hornets baseball program through his son.

“I got to remain in the game through Garrett,” he said. “I am proud of what he has done and what Travis Queck has done for this program. He was instrumental in a lot of the successes we’ve had here. Both have allowed me to converse with them and offer advice when I’m asked. I miss coaching. I still spend three to four hours per week researching baseball and four to six hours a week researching football.”

If you have followed baseball at any point in the last 50 years, the Bock name is synonymous with winning championships. Garrett’s grandfather, Hall of fame legend Billy Bock, won nine state championships at four schools including six at Pine Bluff. Garrett’s father, current Bryant Athletic Director Kirk Bock, won four titles as head coach at Bryant; 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. Now Garrett looks to make his mark in the history books as the new head coach of the Bryant Hornets. He will also coach running backs on Quad Sanders’ football staff. Garrett isn’t a stranger to his family being in the spotlight. I asked Kirk Bock what it means for his son to carry on the tradition.