July 14, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head men's soccer coach Bob Warming announced the hiring of Owen Griffith as an assistant coach for the 2016 season Thursday, July 14.
Griffith will work with all positions with an emphasis on defenders and midfielders, while helping with team operations, daily player management and communication.
"It feels like Owen has been part of the staff for five years, stated Warming. "He captained our Penn State team for three years and he captained the team through the longest run in first place in the standings in Big Ten history. He started working in the office while finishing his degree, then became our volunteer coach. He knows the program inside and out and knows what kind of players and people we want in the program. He has a very good eye for talent and has a personality that players will love as their coach.
"Owen reminds me a lot of former Penn State assistant coach, Jason Mims who is building a tremendous program at the University of Nebraska Omaha, continued Warming. "Jason played for me and played one year professionally, but he was always destined to be a coach. Owen is cut from the same cloth. Owen has a lot of qualities to our program that we admire. He has a passion for soccer, he has a passion for Penn State, as a third generation Penn Stater, he has a love for and a talent for coaching soccer. He has a hunger to continue to learn and the work ethic to improve himself."
"I love this school and I love this soccer program," said Griffith. "I was lucky enough to taste some success here as a player and I'm extremely passionate about helping this next generation of Penn State soccer players do the same. I am thrilled and grateful to be in a position to help a talented group of young men reach new heights and bring championships to Penn State."
Griffith is entering his second season on the sidelines with Warming in the 2016 campaign. He joined the Penn State men's soccer coaching staff after completing a four-year playing career under Warming and served as a volunteer assistant in the 2015 season.
Griffith, a three-year captain, appeared in 77 career matches for Penn State, starting 67 with four goals and six assists. As captain he lead the Nittany Lions to two consecutive Big Ten titles in 2012 and 2013, two NCAA Tournament appearances, and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2013. The Lewisburg, Pa. native was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree while also earning Academic All-Big Ten honors. In his senior season, Griffith was named a 2014 Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch, and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors over the course of his career.
In 2015 Griffith signed with Eastern Suburbs AFC of New Zealand's Northern Premier League, helping them win both the Northern Premier League and the Chatham Cup during his stint. The latter being one of the oldest club competition in the world, dating back to 1923.
Griffith graduated from Penn State with his degree in kinesiology.