Interview with Tyrone McGriff

By Michael Harrison

Tyrone McGriff grew up in a coaching-centered household and developed a passion for sport from his father who coached high school and college football. McGriff followed in his father’s footsteps by attending and playing football at Florida A&M University (FAMU). During his time as a student-athlete, McGriff earned an All-MEAC defensive player award as a defensive end. Once he graduated from FAMU, Coach McGriff began working at Florida State University Schools (FSUS) where he served as a physical education teacher as well as a defensive line coach for the football team. He gained additional coaching experience by coaching track and cross country. After leading both teams through multiple successful seasons and earning a Coach of the Year Award his first year as a track coach, Coach McGriff was offered an athletic director position at FSUS. After three years as an athletic director, Coach McGriff has recently begun a new position at his school as the director of programs and community development.

What led you to go to FSU for your master’s degree after attending FAMU for undergrad?

While I was at FAMU, I told myself that I wanted to get a complete mix of both the traditional college experience and the professional development experience. I felt that going to school at a Historically Black University, as well as a predominantly white institution, would give me an opportunity to see the cultural differences between both schools.

Why did you choose to go to Florida State?

When I was making my decision, I met with Dr. Pappas and he really sold me on the sport management graduate program. Dr. Pappas is one of the best salesmen I know and served as a big influence in my choice of going to FSU. I would also say that a large part of my decision to go to FSU was because I work for Florida High, and I was able to take classes at FSU for free. I was able to work on my professional skills at the number one sport management school in the nation — it was a no-brainer. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

What did the FSU sport management program have to offer that piqued your interest?

The professional development aspect of the program really appealed to me. If you know Dr. Pappas, you know he is one of the most professional people you’ll ever meet. He always makes it a priority to ensure that students will be able to network and communicate professionally. Getting to know him was the selling point. He says all the time in his classes that, “You are going to school to get a job. If you are going to college, go to a college that will get you a job.” I would definitely say that Dr. Pappas helped me the most during my time at FSU.

How did you get your position as director of programs and community development at Florida High?

I started off as an assistant coach in football and was eventually asked to take over the track program due to my background within the sport. I was able to turn the track program around and lead the team to state runner-up in multiple championships. From there, I took over the cross country program and was able to win coach of the year for cross country during my first year. I was also able to take the team to state for the first time in 15 years. After a couple of seasons, I realized I missed football and decided to coach cross country and football at the same time. My administration saw that I was the head coach of two programs and that I found a way to be successful while also attending FSU as a sport management student. My administration recognized my hard work, extensive experience and academic accolades and offered me an athletic director position. From there I continued to have success within athletic administration and was given the opportunity to move up to the position of director of programs and community development.

What knowledge have you transferred from being a coach to your current position?

Coaching is all about communication. If you can’t communicate with your kids, then you can’t coach them. If you can’t get them to follow directions and motivate them to do more or achieve more, then you aren’t going to have a good team. I have been able to take those communication tools that I learned from coaching and apply them to my professional and personal relationships.

What are some of your favorite aspects of your new position?

As director of programs and community development at Florida High, I create and communicate. I pride myself in being creative and trying to find ways to implement someone else’s vision through my creativity. I think that is what makes good coaches become great coaches. For example, Nick Saban sees things differently than other coaches. In order for you to be elite at something, that means you can do something that no one else can do. So what I try to pride myself in is the fact that no one else has the same skillset to think in a creative manner in the way I do. I get the chance to think creatively at my job everyday through activities like monitoring social media pages and finding new ways to get people to invest in the school.

What is the end goal for your career?

I wouldn’t say that I necessarily have an end goal. I’m never satisfied — I just keep climbing. Ithink that’s the competitor in me. I don’t think anyone who is ultracompetitive is ever really satisfied. I thoroughly enjoy the process of getting better at what you’re doing. I actually decided to go back to school recently, and I’m getting another degree in Educational Leadership. It’s the process I enjoy more than anything. I’ve been fortunate enough to move up in my endeavors quickly, so I haven’t gotten a chance to perfect anything yet. At some point when I am comfortable, I’ll have to become content in whatever position that I hold and then try to perfect that. There isn’t anything wrong with being content once you find that place you want to perfect. I’m not at that point yet though.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to take on roles similar to yours?

You need to diversify your skillset. There is no one particular skill within athletic administration that outweighs the other. Because of this, you have to offer dynamic experience and expertise in order to stand out. A mix of communication skills, technological skills, and leadership skills are all important. But at the high school and middle school level, it’s important to know what your staff needs to be successful and know how you can help them to be their best. I want to emphasize and say that your career in sport management is a grind. If you don’t have the mindset to work hard every day and enjoy the work you put in, you’re going to have a hard time being successful.