Matt Griggs, who built the Mary Baldwin men's basketball program from scratch to a championship team in just four seasons, has resigned to become the head coach at Lake Forest College in suburban Chicago.

"What the men's basketball team accomplished under Coach Griggs is nothing short of amazing," said Director of Athletics Tom Byrnes.  "He recruited the right players that would fit his program on and off the court and the players bought into his coaching style, academic expectations, community partnership activities, family support, everything.  It was great to watch the players grow and ultimately, the team and University were rewarded with a championship season in 2023-24."

Griggs joined the MBU staff in January, 2020, and spent six months recruiting and preparing for a "club team" season that turned out to be the Pandemic Season of 2020-21 for all other programs.  The Fighting Squirrels then launched the varsity program in 2021-22 and went on to win eight games that year - seven in USA South Conference play.

The next two seasons, MBU qualified for the USA South playoffs, losing in the first round of the playoffs at home in 2023 but winning the regular-season title and the championship tournament crown in 2024 to earn the University first NCAA Tournament berth in any sport since joining the USA South in 2009.  

In three varsity seasons, Griggs led the Fighting Squirrels to a 39-36 overall record, including a 27-15 mark against USA South competition - that is the second-best USA South Conference record in the last three years.  MBU finished in the top four in the regular-season standings each year, including a first-place finish in 2024.

"MBU is certainly sad to see Coach Griggs and his family move on, but we wish him nothing but great success in the future," Byrnes said.  "He's been a great supporter of all Fighting Squirrels teams and a great friend and advisor in the PAC."

2021-22 ... 8-13 overall, 7-7 USA South (tied for 4th place)
2022-23 ... 14-12 overall, 9-5 USA South (third place, lost in first round of playoffs)
2023-24 ... 17-11 overall, 11-3 USA South (regular-season title, playoff championship, NCAA Tournament)
Total ... 39-36 overall, 27-15 USA South