Former coach Griffen returns to revitalize Mariner hoops

There was a time in the not-so-distant history where making the 4A boys state basketball tournament was commonplace at Mariner High School. Under head coach Dexter Griffen, who coached the team from the 1998-99 season through the 2009-2010 season, the Marauders made the state tournament five times in 11 seasons.

Griffen resigned as the team’s head coach in 2010 and the Marauders haven’t been back to the state tournament since.

Hoping to restore the Marauders into a perennial state tournament contender, Mariner hired Griffen in May to once again be its head coach.

“What made me want to come back was to try and restore pride back into the program,” Griffen said. “Where all the hard work and time that me and my former players put into it to get it to where it was at, to see it dissipate, it made me want to come back and get it going again.”

Mariner athletic director Nate DuChesne said Griffen’s previous success, along with his ability to relate to the students after 18 years as a teacher at Mariner, made Griffen an easy choice to take over the program.

“Dexter is a proven winner in Wesco and he’s a fantastic coach,” DuChesne said. “He’s a great mentor to the kids, particularly at Mariner because he’s been teaching there so long. He understands our school and how to motivate the kids at our school, so it’s an ideal situation.”

In 11 seasons, Griffen had a 147-111 record at Mariner. In addition to leading the Marauders to five state tournament appearances, the 1998-99 team finished 21-7 and placed third in state — the highest finish in school history.

“One of the things we have with Dexter is instant credibility,” DuChesne said. “He’s won at a high level here at Mariner. He does the things that good high school coaches do. The kids play hard, they play unselfishly and they have a system that they run and they execute it well.”

The Marauders have won just 23 games in the past four seasons combined, including finishing 0-20 in 2011-12 and 3-17 in 2013-14. Though Griffen certainly has the pedigree to turn things around, he said it will depend on the effort his players want to put in the upcoming season.

“It always depends on the kids and how much success they want to have,” Griffen said. “If they’re willing to work and put in the time and the effort, more times than not you will have success. If you’re always having to be pushed and prodded to do what’s right to win, you’re not going to be successful. In order for it to keep going in the right direction, the players need to continue to keep putting in the time, effort and work and even more to get better results than they got last year.”

One of the players Griffen will rely on to set an example for the rest of the team is Kevin Villalobos, who was a first-team All-Wesco guard last season as a junior.

“He’s a very talented point guard,” Griffen said. “He plays well on both ends of the floor and he’s a great kid to coach.

“Kevin is the type of player that can create his own shot. He sees openings and he’s a guard that is a penetrate-first guard. His ability to get into the paint and break defenses down enables us to get easier shots and more open shots.”

A quick guard like Villalobos should help Griffen with his defense-first philosophy that led to so much success in his first stint at Mariner.

It’s been six years since Griffen roamed the sidelines for the Marauders, but DuChesne isn’t worried about how long Griffen has been away.

“Even though he hasn’t been coaching for the last six or seven years, he’s been involved and he talks to Mariner kids all the time about their games and what’s been going on,” DuChesne said. “He’s going to hit the ground running, for sure. He’ll do a great job.”

In addition to coaching his team on most Tuesdays and Fridays during the season, Griffen will get the opportunity to be a fan on Wednesday nights. His daughter Kylee Griffen will be a sophomore at Lake Stevens next season. She was named first-team All-Wesco as a freshman.

“The first game, hearing her name called in the starting lineup (for Lake Stevens) was cool,” Griffen said. “I remember her when she was little and after the game coming into the locker room wanting to shoot a basketball while I was talking to the team. Going from that to where she is now where she has a few scholarship offers already and started her freshman year was just a joy to watch.

“I’m very proud of her.”

Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.