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Griffin named new head football coach

Press conference scheduled for Thursday


Matt Griffin, a fourth-year assistant coach at the University of Maine, has been named the new head football coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

A press conference to introduce Griffin is set for 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12 in the Bob Carroll Football Building’s multi-purpose room on campus.

Griffin just completed his fourth year at the University of Maine and helped guide the Black Bears to the Division I-AA playoffs where they lost in the second round to Georgia Southern.

He completed his third season overseeing the offensive line. He also recruited areas in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, central and western Massachusetts and central New Jersey.

“Matt Griffin brings a wide range of experiences and a strong work ethic to UT Martin,” said Phil Dane, director of intercollegiate athletics at UT Martin.

“Matt’s positive reputation from his previous experience at UT Martin was a big factor in his selection. He recruits quality athletes and he is very committed to our athletic and academic mission. In addition to these qualities, he has been very active in the development of a strong University of Maine football program.”

Before going to work at the University of Maine, Griffin served as offensive coordinator at Tennessee-Martin. He also coached the Skyhawks' receivers and quarterbacks.

The move to Maine allowed Griffin to return to his New England roots. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1992. He served as team captain and led the league in passing efficiency as a senior. He held several passing records at UNH when he left the university.

His coaching and playing career has taken him to four Atlantic 10 schools. His first college coaching duties came in 1992-94 at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. From there he joined the University of Richmond program in 1994, and then was at Northeastern from 1995-97. With the Huskies he oversaw the quarterbacks and the offensive backfield. He was also part of the academic monitoring, recruiting and strength and condition programs at NU.

Griffin is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Lisa Morin. They are parents of daughter Molly, 9, and sons Cullen, 7, and Garrett, 2.

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U. of Maine Athletics

Matt Griffin, new head coach for Skyhawk Football, looks to lead the team following the dismissal of Sam McCorkle.