Bartow's McGriff named Dairy Farmers coach of the year

The firsts keep coming for Bartow coach Terrence McGriff.

A month ago, McGriff became the first Polk County coach since integration to lead his team to back-to-back boys basketball state titles.

On Friday, McGriff became the first boys basketball coach in the state to be named the Dairy Farmers Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in back-to-back years.

McGriff also is just the second coach to win the award more than once, matching Blanche Ely’s Melvin Randall (2013 and 2015).

McGriff remained humbled by the honor, and was quick to share the recognition.

"I was not expecting to win it," McGriff said. "I didn't expect to win it last year. I thought of the tremendous sacrifice coaches make, not just me. This is Good Friday. And so I think about what was sacrificed today by my Savior for folks who believe what I believe, and it's a humbling feeling to say I sacrificed anything compared what was sacrificed on a day like today because this is a special day.

"And then I think about the sacrifices of my wife and what she and my kids and my family sacrifice so that I can coach a game. I'm not digging a ditch. I'm not out in the sun. I come to work and teach a class and coach a game every day. What a sacrifice my wife makes and my kids make so I can coach."

McGriff's gratitude extended to his assistants, and into the Bartow community.

"I have a good staff that sacrifices," he said. "I've got 10 coaches and just two of them work in the school system. The others are coming from their jobs and from their families to sacrifice to help build young men.

"And then I think about the community. This is a pandemic we've been in for over a year. And the community (support) did not drop. They did not miss a beat — emotional, financial and physical support. They still came and supported and sacrificed their time and their finances. I think  that's important because so much is now me vs. the world. The Bartow mantra is us, is we, is our."

McGriff also recognized the support of the parents.

"They don't give us any problems," he said. "They trust us. They drop their kids off and they leave us alone. I think they recognize that we work hard for their kids."

Finally McGriff recognized all the players he has been able to coach in his 19 years at Bartow.

"They're the real reason for this award," he said. "The coaches get a lot of credit, but man we've had a lot of great players here."

Bartow senior Walter Clayton was proud of his coach.

"He's 100 percent deserving of it," Clayton said. "Every day he comes to work and gives us is all. He definitely deserved it. He sacrificed a lot for us."

In 19 years at Bartow, McGriff has posted a 350-131 record with three state titles ('10, '20, '21) and three other Final Four appearances ('09, '13, '14).

McGriff, who was selected as the Class 6A Coach of the Year in a previous round of voting, finished with 140 points to win the overall award ahead of Class 7A's Ben Witherspoon of Dr. Phillips (103 points) and Class 2A's Treig Burke of Orlando Christian Prep (95 point).

Pine Crest's Ike Smith (4A) finished fourth with 52 points, followed by Wildwood's Marcus Hawkins (1A) with 39 points, Pembroke Pines Charter's Davi Roca (5A) with 32 points and Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian's Cilk McSweeney (3A) with 25 points.

Also on Friday, Dallan “Deebo” Coleman, a 6-foot-6 senior guard from Callahan West Nassau, was named the 2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball.

Coleman, the Class 5A player of the year, has signed with Georgia Tech. He beat out Class 6A winner Tre Carroll of Charlotte, who had five first-place votes and 121 points. 

Oak Ridge's Mike James (7A) finished third (95), followed by Bishop McLaughlin's Emanuel Sharp (3A), Evangelical Christian's Aaron Jones (2A), Naples' Tony Green (5A) and Wildwood's Joe Poyser of Wildwood (1A).