Meet the Professionals: Brian Garber on Coaching Ethan Quinn
At the Cincinnati Open, Ground Pass sat down with Brian Garber, coach of rising American talent Ethan Quinn, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to make it as a coach on the ATP Tour. This edition of Meet the Professionals goes beyond match tactics, exploring Garber’s winding path into coaching, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the family-like support system he’s built with fellow coaches and players.
From Denial to Destiny
Coaching wasn’t always Brian’s dream—or so he thought. He jokes about spending years insisting he’d never become a tennis coach, only for his mother to uncover an essay he wrote in eighth grade declaring exactly that as his goal. Coming from a family of coaches—his grandfather trained in the NBA and his father worked in professional hockey—perhaps the path was inevitable.
“I always said I didn’t want to coach tennis… until my mom found proof that I wrote the opposite in eighth grade.”
After a brief career as a college player, Garber discovered that his real fulfillment came not from competing himself but from helping his teammates. That shift in perspective pushed him into coaching, though the road was anything but glamorous.
Building From the Ground Up
Brian started at the very bottom of the tennis ladder—working with kids at local clubs in Boston, volunteering as an assistant college coach, and later joining academies like Everett in Florida. He emphasizes the importance of not skipping steps: every experience, from teaching beginners to running ladies’ clinics, sharpened his problem-solving skills.
“I treated every player, even a 13-year-old, as if they were a pro. It was my dress rehearsal for the next step.”
That persistence paid off. By his late 20s, Garber was getting his first opportunities in professional tennis, eventually leading him to the ATP Tour.
Mentorship and the Connection to Ethan Quinn
A pivotal influence in Brian’s career has been Brad Stine, best known as Tommy Paul’s coach and formerly Pete Sampras’s longtime mentor. Stine has guided Garber as both a friend and teacher, and through that connection, Garber was introduced to Ethan Quinn.
Ethan, a standout from Fresno, was one of Stine’s protégés. When Quinn decided to turn pro, Stine recommended Garber to join his team. After working with Alex Kovacevic for several years, Garber took the leap to coach Quinn full-time—a move that challenged him to quickly build trust with a young player new to the pro tour.
Coaching Philosophy: Relationships First
For Garber, coaching is about more than technique or tactics—it’s about relationships. He describes himself as more of a “big brother” figure to Ethan, someone who guides him on and off the court, whether it’s managing training sessions or giving advice on everyday life problems like apartment repairs or car trouble.
“The biggest part of coaching is trust. Most of my coaching with Ethan comes at lunch or dinner, just listening.”
Inside “The Compound”
Brian is also part of a unique coaching ecosystem I call “the compound,” built around Tommy Paul, Ethan Quinn, Alex Kovacevic, and their teams. With Brad Stine at the top, the group has fostered an atmosphere of openness and mutual support that’s rare in professional tennis.
“We actually don’t congratulate players when they win—we congratulate the coach.”
Advice for Future Coaches
For those dreaming of becoming a professional coach, Garber stresses both humility and persistence. Start small—help at a local park program, volunteer at clinics, or work with juniors. Be willing to observe and learn from others, and accept that the road is long and often unglamorous.
“You’re sacrificing a lot of personal life,” he says. “But if you love the sport and the process, it’s worth it.”
🎧 Listen to the full interview with Brian Garber on Ground Pass: Meet the Professionals. Or Watch below.
