Longtime men’s basketball coach Mike Griffin has retired following a distinguished 30-year career at the helm.
Griffin’s retirement was effective May 31 and a national search to find Rensselaer’s next head men’s basketball coach has begun.
“I have been so fortunate to spend three decades in this wonderful educational environment where intercollegiate athletics are considered important,” said Griffin. “Working with talented, dedicated colleagues in the Athletics Department and all around the campus has been a remarkable experience.
“Coaching literally hundreds of RPI student-athletes, sharing winning and losing with them and then watching them move on to successful, productive lives has been an experience to treasure.”
Coach Mike Griffin
“Mike Griffin’s time at Rensselaer is marked with incredible successes on the basketball court. League championships, NCAA bids, Players of the Year and Coach of the Year honors are all part of Mike’s resume over the years,” said Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton. “But what is even more impressive is the impact that he has had on hundreds of young men during his time as our coach. Mike has provided opportunity for growth both on and off the court. He has helped many to achieve at levels they never thought possible, and that will truly be Mike’s legacy at Rensselaer.”
Griffin was named Rensselaer’s 13th head men’s basketball coach in August 1984. During his tenure he saw numerous team and individual records set—including his own for most wins in school history—and even more post-season accolades, Hall of Fame inductees, and Dean’s List student-athletes.
Griffin retires with a mark of 402-382 including one season as the head women’s coach (1994-95). He guided the Engineers to eight post-season appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments and he was the league’s Coach of the Year five times.
Griffin led the Engineers to the Liberty League Tournament Finals as recently as 2013 when the Engineers won their final seven regular season games and the league semifinal on the road. Just two years prior, he was the Liberty League Coach of the Year after 17 wins and a first place finish in the league’s regular season.
Griffin coached more than 40 All-League honorees, five League Players of the Year, six All-ECAC selections, four D3hoops.com All-Region members, and an All-State choice. He is a three-time Marvin H. Anderson Award recipient as Rensselaer’s Coach of the Year, as voted on by his peers.
Griffin has held numerous positions at Rensselaer in addition to head men’s basketball coach. Among them were freshman lacrosse coach, physical education instructor, and assistant athletic director.