Coach T.K. Griffith ’89, Principal and veteran English teacher, is in his 32nd year as Hoban's head boys basketball coach. Griffith’s overall record of 507-215 entering this season has accompanied cherished years of strong relationships and memorable victories.

His 1998 team went to the OHSAA Div. II Final Four and the 1999 team won the AP Poll Championship with a 20-0 regular season record. The 2008 team also won a district championship in Division II.

In 2022, the Knights went 20-8 and won the first Division I district title in school history. They followed that up by winning the ultimate prize a year later when the 2023 team finished 26-3 and were Division I state champions.

Last season saw Griffith earn his 500th career victory as the Knights finished 18-8 and won their third consecutive Division I district championship.

Griffith's teams have won 20 or more games eight times, won five district championships and two regional titles, and have had only three losing seasons in his 32 years.

The recipient of the 2013 Clem Caraboolad Coach of the Year award has also been named North Coast League Coach of the Year six times as his teams have won seven NCL league championships since 2006. In addition, he earned honors from the Touchdown Club (1998, 2008), the Plain Dealer (1999) and the OHSAA (North-South Coach 2009) and has been chosen to coach the GABCA all-star game multiple times. In addition, he was awarded the cherished Bob Arnzen Coaching Award by the OHSAA.

Griffith, who has taught Honors English 10, AP Language and Composition and the school newspaper, is proud of his Holy Cross roots and enjoys the opportunity to serve others through teaching and coaching.

“I take pride in continuing a legacy started by my father, the late Tim Griffith ‘66, who was named a Hoban Distinguished Alumnus for his work with special education students in Kent City Schools," Griffith said. “He continued his education at our other alma mater, St. Edward’s University, and my wife Amy and I also attend SEU after Hoban. He met my mother, Penny, at SEU. Like my Dad and so many Hoban alumni over the years, I hope to impact lives in the classroom, hallways and on the court-- educating hearts and minds in all that I do.”

Griffith’s oldest three children graduated from Hoban, all winning the Monsignor Dowed Spirit Award and serving Hoban in many leadership capacities. Allie '13 graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Austin '14 from Duquesne University. Abby '19 attends DePaul in Chicago and Andrew is a senior at Hoban. T.K.'s wife, Amy ’89, is also a Hoban graduate and works at the Maynard Family Foundation. T.K.'s top assistant, Tim Lucey ’97, has been a lifelong Hoban friend and serves as director of alumni relations. Griffith coached Lucey in 1997. Griffith and his staff will always keep deceased assistant coach Tom Goodall ’66 in their hearts. Norm Jesser '10, Matt Vowles, Stephen White, Matt Monter and Robbie Griffith also serve on the staff. Hank Inman has kept our book for well over 20 years. Mike Jozic serves as Booster Club liaison. Brian Saus '90 announces the games in Barry Gym.

A member of the 1989 Hoban state championship basketball team, Griffith received his B.A. from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and his M.A.T. from Kent State University in 1994. He has 30 plus hours of postgraduate work from Walsh University in School Counseling and his Principal’s license from the University of Findlay Secondary Administration program.

Updated November 2024

Varsity Head Coach: T.K. Griffith griffitht@hoban.org

Assistant Coach: Tim Lucey '97