PHILADELPHIA - The basketball season had ended, but the Catholic Youth Organization High School League still had games to play. One of the players for Havertown’s St. Denis parish was a senior manager for St. Joseph’s Prep, and although not playing for the Hawks, he was a starting guard for the Bulldawgs.
On two occasions, Prep two-year varsity assistant coach Matt Griffin came to the manager’s games to show his support. Just because.
Next season, Griffin will no longer help the Hawks. He was just named the varsity head coach of Roman Catholic, the most-storied basketball program (30 championships; 20 since 1969) in the tri-state area. Among the many gifts Griffin will bring to the Cahillites is a caring, nurturing, one-on-one relationship with his players.
“Coach Griffin is a guy that will always make time for you,” said Brendan Burns, a 2015 graduate and former Hawk guard. “He brings so much positive energy whenever he's around and really wants to see his players succeed on the court and in the rest of their lives.”
Pete Gayhardt, an All-Catholic center who graduated in June, also lauded his former coach.
“Matt Griffin is someone that changed the way I played basketball,” said Gayhardt. “Sure he helped me with my jumper and my ball handling, but the biggest thing Matt did for my game was taught me how to play with passion and intensity.
“Matt will be a terrific head coach because of the energy he brings. He is a great leader and people gravitate to him. I could not be more excited for him.”
When Griffin received the official offer at what he thought was going to be a third interview, he was about to become only the fifth person to coach at Roman since 1968. At the age of 27, Griffin is confident that he is ready. So too is Griffin’s predecessor, Chris McNesby, who stepped down at the end of last season to spend more time with his young family.
McNesby, whose squads captured the past two Catholic League and PIAA Class AAAA state titles, had kind words about his successor.
“Matt is an up and coming young coach with great energy and passion for the game,” said McNesby, a 1995 RC graduate. “I enjoyed watching him as a player in the Catholic League. I know he will do a great job and I’ll be happy to help him any way I can in his transition.”
Griffin said the Prep’s players and coaches were very supportive when he broke the news. He looks forward to meeting with his new players.
“Wherever I am, I always give my all,” said Griffin. “It will definitely feel strange coaching against the Prep next year. I care about the people over there – the players, Coach (Speedy) Morris, (assistant coach) Keith (Morris) . . . and always will.”
Roman Catholic's new head coach, Matt Griffin, is a SJP alum - photo courtesy of Roman Catholic
When Griffin said “yes” to his new assignment, he couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s hard to describe,” said Griffin, a 2007 St. Joseph’s Prep alum, former first-team All-Catholic, and team captain at Boston University. “It was a special moment. It was a feeling of excitement, and of gratitude for the opportunity.”
To say that basketball is a major component of Griffin’s DNA is putting it mildly. His father, John, was a Roman Catholic standout before graduating in 1974. He later played for St. Joseph’s University and eventually coached its men’s team from 1990 to 1995. Griffin’s brother John starred at the Prep. He then played at Bucknell University, where he is currently an assistant coach.
Throughout his life, Griffin has understood the special kinship among Roman Catholic alumni.
“Being around friends and former teammates of my father, I recognized Roman’s unique program,” he said. “The tradition and history can’t be found anywhere else. I learned from a very young age what it was like to play for the purple and gold.”
Griffin inherits a program that graduated four Division I players last year. While the roster still includes young potential, Griffin will face an arguably daunting challenge in a league that includes perennial winner Neumann-Goretti and a handful of teams that scratch and claw no matter what their record.
He feels prepared.
“Teaching and coaching is my passion,” said Griffin. “I love working with young people, and this being basketball is icing on the cake. It’s part of my calling. So when I look at our situation, I’m excited. We have a lot of talented players. It’s about getting better each day and being where we need to be at the end of each season.”
In the meantime, Griffin will reflect on how this new journey came to be.
“There were many other great candidates to choose from,” said Griffin. “It’s humbling. I thought about all of the experiences in my life that led me to this one. It’s a great opportunity, and I am very grateful for it.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)