Garvin began his coaching career in 1949-50 when he coached the Sarnia Jr. Sailors to the Western Ontario Jr. 'B' championship, even as he was playing with the Sr. Sailors. In 1968 he coached the fabled Sarnia Legionnaires to the Sutherland Cup as all-Ontario Jr. 'B' champs.
He returned to the International Hockey League, where he served as head coach of the Port Huron Flags/Port Huron Wings for four seasons (1968–69 – 1971–72). Garvin was hired to coach the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League for the 1973–74 season, but was fired after his first eleven games in which the team went 2–8–1. He again returned to the IHL as head coach of the Toledo Goaldiggers (1974–75 – 1978–79) and the team advanced to the finals three times and won two Turner Cups in 1974–75 and 1977–78. Garvin also served as head coach of the Muskegon Mohawks in the IHL for one final season in 1980–81.
Ted Garvin is former NHL referee Kerry Fraser's uncle.
