Alma Coaches Enter the HOF

Alma College formally inducted two coaches, among others, into its Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the honorees was Denny Griffin, longtime head softball coach, who joins the ranks of storied Scots coaches as the 11th individual from the softball program to earn the distinction.

Coach Griffin: A Coaching Journey Defined by Longevity and Success

Griffin’s induction was hardly surprising to those familiar with the depth of his impact. He has coached at Alma for over four decades, with his alma mater honoring his leadership and results.

- He first became head coach in 1989, after two prior years as an assistant.
- Over the years, Griffin amassed a head coaching record of 1,032–432, making him the winningest coach in Alma’s history.
- That record places him tied for 6th all-time in wins among Division III softball head coaches and tied for 48th among all NCAA softball coaches.
- In February 2024, he reached his 1,000th career win after a tightly-contested 1–0 victory over Eastern University — becoming just the 51st NCAA softball coach to hit that milestone.
- His teams have claimed 15 MIAA regular-season championships, 11 MIAA tournament titles, 6 NCAA regional championships, and 1 NCAA super regional title.
- Under his leadership, Alma made six appearances in the NCAA National Finals.
- Griffin has coached 188 All‑MIAA selections, 11 MIAA MVPs, and four MIAA Most Valuable Pitchers. On the national stage, his proteges include 97 All-Region honorees and 19 All-Americans.

His longevity is matched by his influence far beyond the win column. Over the years, Griffin has also served in roles beyond coaching, including as Athletic Director and in the Athletic Training department at Alma.

Shared Honors: Assistant Coach Phil Hansen Also Inducted

Griffin’s induction was accompanied by that of Phil Hansen, longtime assistant softball coach. Hansen has been an integral part of the Alma softball program for over 34 years.

- Hansen has earned over 900 collegiate coaching victories and was named the NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015.
- He has coached or contributed to 15 MIAA championships, 11 MIAA tournament titles, six NCAA regional championships, and one NCAA super regional title.
- Over his tenure, Hansen has mentored dozens of All‑MIAA, All‑Region, and All-American athletes.

Their joint induction is a fitting recognition of a coaching tandem that has shaped decades of Alma softball success.