Griffin to serve as athletic director at Niceville High

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Daniel Griffin, a 21-year veteran of the Okaloosa County School District and graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School, has been named Niceville High School’s athletic director.

The school board confirmed Griffin’s appointment last week at its meeting in Niceville.

Griffin has served students from kindergarten to high school at Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, Wright Elementary School, Destin Middle School, and Ruckel Middle School during his 21 years with the school district, the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) said in an announcement.

As a strength and conditioning coach, he led three powerlifting teams to runner-up state titles and two teams to state titles.

Okaloosa County has always been home to Griffin. According to the OCSD, he was an Oakland Heights Elementary School Raider, a Wright Elementary School Dolphin, a Bruner Junior High School Spartan, and a 1992 graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS).

During his time as a student, he was a member of many team sports including the 1991 FWBHS Varsity Football Team that won the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 4A State Championship Title and 5th place ranking in the nation.

Upon graduation, Griffin continued his education at Troy University on a football scholarship and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sport and Fitness Management.

During his time in Troy, Alabama, he was an adjunct professor and the Director of Technology for the Trojan Athletic Department. He later earned his Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership in 2014, the OCSD said.

Griffin said he is looking forward to becoming a Niceville High School Eagle and supporting a new group of students as they pursue athletic and academic wellness.

He also thanked his parents, Bob and Beverly Griffin, for their unconditional devotion and support to his success.