When he needed advice, the famous Charles “Lefty” Driesell called Don Griffin, his old coach from Granby High School.
“He was the reason I went into coaching,” said Driesell, one of college basketball’s winningest coaches, who made his mark at Maryland, Davidson, James Madison and Georgia State universities. “He was my mentor. He was like John Wooden — a true teacher and a motivator.”
Don guided the Granby High Comets to two state basketball championships. He was also an assistant football coach. He turned out a slew of athletes, including Major League Baseball players.
Don got results with a style that focused on instruction. “I can’t ever recall him raising his voice,” Driesell said.
Major League Baseball player Hank Foiles said in an article in the Virginian-Pilot in 2007, “We were all rich to have been blessed with someone like Coach Griffin. What he taught us went above and beyond what we learned on the field.”
Don never married, but he took an active role with his three nephews and his niece. In line with all of the many students he helped guide through their formative years, his nephew stated, “He was always there for us.” He also helped youngsters through the YMCA and the Park Place Methodist Church. A longtime member of the Norfolk Sports Club, he received its Tom Fergusson Award.
Don received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from William & Mary. He participated in intramurals and was a member of Theta Delta Chi, eligibility for which included one and a half years of chemistry with superior grades. Outstanding chemistry students from Virginia high schools competed for the coveted chemistry scholarships sponsored by the fraternity.
He was president of the Norfolk alumni chapter in 1952 and was on the Alumni Society Board of Directors in 1968. He passed away in 2007.
His legacy lives on through the Order of the White Jacket with the Donald G. Griffin OWJ Scholarship (3171) and scholarship funding provided through the Order of the White Jacket Fund (0579).