Exclusive Conversation With New Syracuse Basketball Assistant Coach Allen Griffin

This is part of the exclusive interview with brand new Syracuse basketball Assistant Coach Allen Griffin. Here’s what he had to say…

No one has gotten to talk to the new Syracuse basketball Assistant Coach Allen Griffin, until now. We have exclusive soundbites from his only full interview to date right here on ITLH.

We’ll get into the soundbites in just a moment, if you want to hear the full conversation tune into the Syracuse Legends Show on ESPN Radio in Syracuse locally (97.7 and 100.1) this Friday at 6 PM ET (April 15, 2017).

Or you can listen to the conversation online at SyracuseLegends.com in our interview tab following the show.

But without further adieu lets hear some soundbites from SU’s newest coach, Allen Griffin. Lets jump right into the deep end of the pool. Griffin is replacing Mike Hopkins, who has moved on to coach the Washington Huskies, but what was their relationship like?

You could hear Griffin get emotional at the end of the soundbite. It’s interesting because it seems like this entire Syracuse basketball team is more so like a family. Hopkins got choked up at his presser when he talked about Jim Boeheim if you remember.

Speaking of Hopkins, one of his main responsibilities was recruiting. A huge cog in the college basketball machine. Which is why this hire for Jim Boeheim and this Syracuse University was so paramount. So how will Griffin do on the recruiting trail, here’s his answer via ESPN Radio in Syracuse (Syracuse Legends Show):

He made some interesting comments regarding “Boeheim knows exactly what he wants”. If you look back at the record books, Boeheim didn’t always chase the most talented guys. Instead he chased the guys that fit his patented 2-3 zone and while he only has one National Championship to show for it, he’s had unbelievable success consistently throughout his tenure.

While getting back to Griffin he played for SU from 1997-2001, his best season came in his Senior year when he averaged

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nearly 11 points per game, 6.5 assists, a little over 3 rebounds a game, and nearly two steals a game, according to College Basketball Sports Reference.

"“After he graduated he did a little bit of everything from playing overseas, to coaching locally. In 2003, he became an administrative assistant at Syracuse. After two years, he left to become a full-time assistant at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He went onto to be an assistant at Providence and Hofstra before landing in Dayton five years ago. (Per Syracuse.com)"

But to me the best soundbite from the beginning portions of the interview revolved around his coaching style and what he’s going to bring to the Orange.

“I’ve earned everything I’ve gotten to this point”, powerful words to start out and I love the message. Play to your strengths, that’s what every good coach does in any sport.

It’s very much the conversation we had when Hopkins left. Griffin doesn’t have to replace Hopkins, he needs to be his own guy and that’ll be good enough. Another great Griffin bite, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Allen Griffin Will Replace Mike Hopkins As New Assistant Coach

If Dino Babers doesn’t watch out he may get overtaken as the leading one-liner at Syracuse. But in all seriousness, Griffin is a perfect fit on paper. He possesses Syracuse ties playing for the team in the late 1990’s-early 2000’s. Griffin seems to have the right mix of discipline, swagger, and versatility.

To reiterate, the full interview will be available this Friday on ESPN Radio in Syracuse and online at SyracuseLegends.com.

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