BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School Girls Weightlifting Head Coach Bryan Griffis announced his resignation last week, citing the need to spend more time with his father.
Griffis, who was in his first year at BHS after coaching at Union County High School, led the program to its first-ever state championship last season. However, he said he needs to devote more of his time to his father, who suffered two strokes last year.
“I was hoping he’d get better so I could stick with coaching,” Griffis said, adding, “I just decided it was best to step down.”
The coach is willing to still be a part of the program. Griffis said he told Superintendent of Schools Will Hartley that he’ll assist the new coach in whatever way he can, whether it be helping to set up meets or serving as a platform judge.
Stepping down was a tough decision to make for someone who lives to coach young people.
“I love it,” Griffis said. “That’s one of my passions in life.”
In the six years prior to him going to BHS, Griffis had one state championship team at UCHS as well as 12 individual champs. He also coached three individual state champions at UCHS in boys weightlifting.
Last year, BHS had three individual state champs and two state runners-up in winning the Class 1A team title.
“I told (Hartley) they’ve got a chance to repeat,” Griffis said. “Whoever takes over is going to be stepping into a loaded program.”
Griffis will continue to train people at his home gym (Raiford Wreckshop) and continue coaching athletes in U.S. Powerlifting events. He will certainly welcome another high-school coaching opportunity when he feels he can devote more time to doing it.
“I really don’t want to get out of it,” Griffis said, adding, “I’m just praying God will open a door for me (in the future).”
