Robert Leon Griffin

Robert “Coach” Griffin

Dad, known as Bobby to his Salinas family and Coach to his grandchildren and many former students, was born in Escondido, CA to Robert Olin Griffin and Leta Fay Harris. He was the oldest of 4 children, and his happy childhood was spent in Salinas, CA with an abundance of cousins, aunts, and uncles always in the house. He attended Hartnell College for 2 years, then came to San Francisco State University to play football for the Gators in 1962. Dad was a decorated player at SF State, winning “Little All American” honors and playing on the 1962 Far-Western Conference Championship team, and he was inducted into the SF State Gridiron Hall of Fame.

Walking along a path at SF State one day, he laid eyes on a beautiful, tall young lady and he knew his life would never be the same. When she walked into the restaurant where he was working a few days later, he asked for her phone number and so began their love affair. Gail Vannelli was by his side from that day on, and they married on February 6, 1966.

A fulfilling teaching & coaching career followed; Dad shaped the lives of so many students who came through Balboa, Galileo, and McAteer High Schools, and City College of San Francisco. His 1985 McAteer football team won the San Francisco “Turkey Bowl” City Championship, and he was named Prep Coach of the Year. Everywhere he went around the world, he ran into former students and players. He didn’t always remember all of them, but they sure remembered him! Coach Griff was tough, demanding excellence on the field and in the classroom. He retired from teaching in 2001, and his golf game improved dramatically! He’d go to the driving range and end up coaching complete strangers on what they were doing wrong with their swing. His lifelong love of sports was with him until the end.

Dad also had a love of music, most especially any song by Elvis Presley. He had a great, deep singing voice and he loved to strum the guitar. He enjoyed the attention of a crowd and could frequently be found serenading a bank teller or grocery store clerk with a rousing rendition of an upbeat Elvis song. “Blue Suede Shoes” was his trademark song, and family & friends would gladly clap along as he sang it again and again.

Dad is predeceased by his parents, Robert & Leta, and his two younger brothers, Ron & Mike. He is survived by the love of his life, his one and only Gail, daughter Stacey Griffin Randall and her husband Dan, and son Scott Griffin and his wife Gilwa. The apples of his eye were his 4 adoring grandchildren, Keely and Krista Randall, and Charmaine and Leon Griffin. He is also survived by his loving sister, Vicky Griffin Fultz, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a bevy of friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a youth sports charity of your choice. Dad would like to see his legacy continue in today’s youth.