July 16, 2025

Griffin named recipient of ABCA Ethics in Coach Award

Carson-Newman head baseball coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Coaching Development Tom Griffin has been named a recipient of the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coach Award, the organization announced on Wednesday morning.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Carson-Newman head baseball coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Coaching Development Tom Griffin has been named a recipient of the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coach Award, the organization announced on Wednesday morning.

Coach Griffin is one of two recipients of the 2026 Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coach Award. The ABCA will honor him at their 2026 Convention in Columbus, Ohio in January of 2026.

"It is truly an honor and I am grateful," Griffin said. But at same time don't feel worthy. Still a work in progress!! I truly believe this is more about celebrating people in my life who inspire me and provide a great example of how to strive to be best version of myself representing Jesus Christ. My wife is on top of that list for sure. Incredible example. Coming to C-N was life changing in many ways because of the great examples of people I saw on a daily basis. Gary Rundles, Joey Seaver, Ken Sparks, Vicki Hollifield, Eddie Carter and David Barger. I was lost when it came to purpose and direction, when I arrived here in 1998. But I saw first hand how faith was integrated into training. That prayer and sharing your walk with Jesus Christ was as important as teaching hitting. It was more about preparing players for eternal life. I also realized it takes a community of people to do this. Whether it's people on campus, alumni or others to share how we should act and treat each other as Christians. My purpose and life changed as my relationship with God grew stronger. I cannot thank my family, friends, coaches, players for helping me and who continue to help me keep priorities/purpose in order."

The ABCA Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award honors an individual who embodies the ABCA Code of Ethics. The American Baseball Coaches Association believes that the highest calling of a baseball coach is to teach life's lessons and model the character traits of honesty, integrity, respect and personal responsibility.

The Ethics in Coaching Award was named in honor of Dave Keilitz in 2017.

The sixth head coach in the modern era of Carson-Newman baseball has been coaching baseball for more than 30 years. In 29 years as a collegiate coach, Griffin has won 746 career games, with 562 of those coming with C-N.

In 2025, Coach Griffin led the Eagles to their most wins in a season since 2008 with 37 and secured the program's fifth NCAA Tournament as well. Carson-Newman was a ranked team for two months and was ranked a program-best seventh in early April. Griffin's group played up to their competition well, winning two series over top ten teams.

Over 20 years guiding the Eagles, the New Jersey-native has coached five Major League Baseball Draft Picks and 25 total professional players. Under his watch, 50 players have earned All-SAC honors, 19 have been named to all-region teams and eight have taken home All-American honors. In 2012, Kyle Koeneman, a first-team All-American, was selected the SAC's Player of the Year after leading the country with 20 home runs. Most recently in 2025, Kolton Casson, a second team All-American, was named the SAC's Freshman and Pitcher of the Year after leading DII in wins with 13. He became the conference's first ever individual to earn two earn two individual honors in the same season.

The Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer is thought of as one of the premier catching and coaching minds in the game, authoring an instructional catching baseball video, "Catch It, Block It, Throw It". It can be found on his website, catchblockthrowit.com. He has been a regular at many coaching clinics and camps and has been a featured speaker at the American Baseball Coaches Association convention multiple times as well. Coach Griffin has been an annual teacher and speaker at the TBCA clinic for more than 20 years.