In this series we take a look at state championship and runner-up coaches, their outlook on the team, the season, and the future of the program. After spending two years as an assistant coach at Florida High School in Tallahassee, Coach Tyrone McGriff has spent the last three as head coach. In 2014, the Seminoles finished second at the 2A State Finals behind Booker T. Washington.
What kind of training did your team do leading up to state?
We focused on sprint mechanics and really being strong for our races. The motto for the team all year was "quarter strong", meaning everyone on the team needed to be strong enough to run a 400m dash in a decent time, no matter what event you did. So we continued to focus primarily on our 400m workouts.
We focused on sprint mechanics and really being strong for our races. The motto for the team all year was "quarter strong", meaning everyone on the team needed to be strong enough to run a 400m dash in a decent time, no matter what event you did. So we continued to focus primarily on our 400m workouts.
What chances or belief did you have in your team's chance and ability to make the podium?
I knew we had a chance coming into the season with the guys I had coming back, but we knew we would have to run our best at state to make it on the podium.
What advice or points of emphasis did you give your team prior to the race or the week leading into the state meet?
We had a very tough week prior to the state meet with the bus accident and trying to bounce back from such a bad tragedy, but the only thing we were focusing on was just putting our best foot forward and doing a great job for the school. A lot of people maybe had Hallandale or some other schools in that runner-up spot.
Do you think your squad kind of flew under the radar this season and how did that motivate them?
We had a very tough week prior to the state meet with the bus accident and trying to bounce back from such a bad tragedy, but the only thing we were focusing on was just putting our best foot forward and doing a great job for the school. A lot of people maybe had Hallandale or some other schools in that runner-up spot.
Do you think your squad kind of flew under the radar this season and how did that motivate them?
We wanted to do something on the state level all year. At the beginning of the year I told the team district championships were no longer a concern, having big time finishes at state then became the focus. We know being in North Florida can be misleading in terms of our speed because we run in cold conditions during most of the year but we hope to set a new trend for the upcoming years. We want to put Tallahassee back on the map along with the other city schools and make sure our name is in the mix with the Booker T. Washingtons, Miami Northwesterns, and other powerhouse schools.
What was the game plan for state and how do you feel your team executed it?
The game plan was and always has been the same; try your best, and prove that you're supposed to be here.
The game plan was and always has been the same; try your best, and prove that you're supposed to be here.
Who do you feel really stepped up individually the most for the team at the state meet?
Josh Davis and Cecil Robinson have carried our team for the last three years and they continued their excellent leadership at the state meet. Josh took second in the 100m dash and 200m dash, and anchored our 4x4 team. He was nearly DQ'ed from the entire meet when they tried to say he timed out of the long jump, I had to appeal it and won the appeal but unfortunately he was unable to warm-up or get any run-throughs on the track so he was behind the board by a foot for all three of his jumps. He still managed to take 5th, but he was a favorite to win it and that really motivated him to run a great leg on the 4x400. Then Cecil Robinson shocked everyone unfamiliar with him by taking 5th in the 200 and 4th in the 400. He wasn't supposed to medal at all but he did what he does best and that's compete.
Josh Davis and Cecil Robinson have carried our team for the last three years and they continued their excellent leadership at the state meet. Josh took second in the 100m dash and 200m dash, and anchored our 4x4 team. He was nearly DQ'ed from the entire meet when they tried to say he timed out of the long jump, I had to appeal it and won the appeal but unfortunately he was unable to warm-up or get any run-throughs on the track so he was behind the board by a foot for all three of his jumps. He still managed to take 5th, but he was a favorite to win it and that really motivated him to run a great leg on the 4x400. Then Cecil Robinson shocked everyone unfamiliar with him by taking 5th in the 200 and 4th in the 400. He wasn't supposed to medal at all but he did what he does best and that's compete.
What were the biggest challenges for this year's team?
The bus accident coming back from Regionals was definitely a hard event to get past especially with it being so close to the state meet, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think my team proved that. We had kids running with stitches in their head still from the wreck and sore backs, but they knew what they had to do and made no excuses. Our driver died in the wreck and the kids were really hurt both physically and mentally but none of them missed a beat or a practice for the next two weeks.
The bus accident coming back from Regionals was definitely a hard event to get past especially with it being so close to the state meet, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think my team proved that. We had kids running with stitches in their head still from the wreck and sore backs, but they knew what they had to do and made no excuses. Our driver died in the wreck and the kids were really hurt both physically and mentally but none of them missed a beat or a practice for the next two weeks.
Were there any low points in the season? How did the team bounce back?
The bus wreck had to be the lowest point of the season for us and our team.
Was there a particular race, workout, or moment that you knew that your team was ready or had the potential to make the podium?
Our Tuesday practices were absolutely grueling but after a month or so into the season I realized the kids were running extremely strong and looked poised to do some really spectacular things.
How would you best describe the group of kids that you coach?
Tough. To witness the things they had to go through and then bounce back the way they did was truly remarkable.
Tough. To witness the things they had to go through and then bounce back the way they did was truly remarkable.
What role do your assistant coaches play with the program?
We would not be here talking about our season without them. They are truly talented and have knowledge in track and field that equals most college and professional coaches. Most of my coaches have already won state and national titles so success isn't foreign to them and they know exactly what it takes. My sister April McGriff won AAU nationals in shot put in high school and competed in college. Coach Damarious Carroll, my hurdles coach, competed at NCAA nationals and won his college track conference several times, then you add Coach Chris Sumner who has several state record holders and team and individual titles under his belt as well.
We would not be here talking about our season without them. They are truly talented and have knowledge in track and field that equals most college and professional coaches. Most of my coaches have already won state and national titles so success isn't foreign to them and they know exactly what it takes. My sister April McGriff won AAU nationals in shot put in high school and competed in college. Coach Damarious Carroll, my hurdles coach, competed at NCAA nationals and won his college track conference several times, then you add Coach Chris Sumner who has several state record holders and team and individual titles under his belt as well.
What would be the best way to describe your coaching style?
I would say tough love. I take a football mentality and put a track spin on it to make it fit my track athletes.
I would say tough love. I take a football mentality and put a track spin on it to make it fit my track athletes.
Who were the leaders on your team and what was the importance to the squad?
Cecil Robinson was one of the best captains anyone can ask for. He was vocal and lead through his actions and Josh Davis was the one who just lead by example. If you wanted to show someone what something should look like, all you have to do is find one of them.
Cecil Robinson was one of the best captains anyone can ask for. He was vocal and lead through his actions and Josh Davis was the one who just lead by example. If you wanted to show someone what something should look like, all you have to do is find one of them.
Who was the biggest individual surprise or runner that most impressed you with their improvements this year?
Some of my young athletes really stepped up. Tadric Williams really stepped up at state running a 49 split as a sophomore and being accountable and a leader even when he was the youngest in the group. Darrian Brown is another athlete that stepped up when we needed him most, he ran a blazing split at the state meet to give us a huge lead going into our third leg.
Some of my young athletes really stepped up. Tadric Williams really stepped up at state running a 49 split as a sophomore and being accountable and a leader even when he was the youngest in the group. Darrian Brown is another athlete that stepped up when we needed him most, he ran a blazing split at the state meet to give us a huge lead going into our third leg.
How would this team rank against some of the past teams that you coached?
I have not yet reached my prime as a coach, but this is the best team I've had as of yet and they will be the standard for the next few years.
I have not yet reached my prime as a coach, but this is the best team I've had as of yet and they will be the standard for the next few years.
Every podium team seems to have a special or unique makeup that makes them . What were some of those characteristics of this year's team?
Like I said earlier we wanted to be 400 strong and that's what set us apart from some of the other teams around. We want to run faster than you and for a longer time than you.
Like I said earlier we wanted to be 400 strong and that's what set us apart from some of the other teams around. We want to run faster than you and for a longer time than you.
What are your expectations for next year's team?
Right now the goal is to win a state title in the next few years and get a double championship on the boys and girls side in the next two years. We don't look at short term goals. Anything we do we know takes time. Right now we want to just respect the process and get better everyday.
Right now the goal is to win a state title in the next few years and get a double championship on the boys and girls side in the next two years. We don't look at short term goals. Anything we do we know takes time. Right now we want to just respect the process and get better everyday.
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