Alma Mater: Michigan State (B.A., 2003); Wayne State (M.A., 2005); Michigan State (M.S., 2008)

Roosevelt University Head Men's Basketball Coach Joe Griffin enters his third year at the helm of the Lakers, continuing to reconstruct a program that was dormant for 21 years. Named the fourth head coach in school history on August 17, 2009, Griffin has quickly backed up his reputation as a tireless recruiter and dedicated instructor and in-game tactician.

In less than 12 months Griffin built a squad that took to the hardwood for the first time since 1989 and quickly proved they belonged. Just 10 games into the 2010-11 campaign, the Lakers recorded a signature win with an 89-78 triumph over defending Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champion St. Xavier. Griffin's coaching acumen was evident in the development of his student-athletes over the course of the year, including junior guard Paul Tometich, who blossomed into one of the league's top players. Under Griffin's tutelage, Tometich led the CCAC in scoring at 21.4 points per game, while also ranking in the top 10 in rebounding and assists en route to All-League honors.

Griffin joined Roosevelt after spending the 2008-09 season as an assistant at NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico University. The 32-year old Michigan native learned his trade, though, under the tutelage of Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo, serving for two seasons (2006-08) as a graduate assistant coach for the Spartans.

At Michigan State, Griffin played pivotal roles for the Spartans in the areas of player development, strength and conditioning, opponent and self-scouting, travel, film exchange and recruiting. In his two seasons with the Spartans, Griffin aided Michigan State to 50 wins and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the ‘Sweet 16' in 2008.

Griffin's coaching philosophy, which emphasizes defense and rebounding, was reflected in the Spartans' play during his tenure. The squad led the Big Ten in rebounding margin and was amongst the nation's leaders in field goal percentage defense each year. Griffin helped in the development of many former and current Michigan State standouts during his tenure, including NBA Draft pick Goran Suton (2009 All-Big Ten), Travis Walton (2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year), Raymar Morgan (2008 All-Big Ten), Drew Neitzel (2008 All-Big Ten, All-America Second Team), and Kalin Lucas (2009 Big Ten Player of the Year).

Griffin obtained his second graduate degree in 2008, a Master of Science in Coaching at Michigan State. He was also a guest instructor within the Kinesiology department of the College of Education and a featured speaker at the 2008 Spartan Strength & Conditioning Clinic.

Following his two years at Michigan State, Griffin headed to the southwest to take on assistant coaching duties at Eastern New Mexico University. During his short tenure, Griffin established strong recruiting ties in the state of Texas, as well as the entire southwest broadening his recruiting horizons.

Griffin's strongest recruiting ties remain in his home state of Michigan. He was born in Flint and later graduate from Romeo High School in Rome, Mich. Griffin went on to play two seasons at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Mich., before heading to Michigan State, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising in 2003.

Griffin's next stop was graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich, earning a Master of Arts in Sports Administration and taking his first coaching job, leading the freshman team and assisting the varsity team at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Mich., during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Griffin headed to Jacksonville, Fla., for one year as assistant varsity boy's basketball coach and English teacher at Sandalwood High School before returning to his home state to take the graduate assistant position for Coach Izzo.

Griffin is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and has worked and been involved with numerous basketball camps and clinics throughout the country. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Chicago.  The couple has one son, Jackson Joseph.

Kevin Devitt is in his second season as an assistant coach on the men's basketball staff under head coach Joe Griffin.

"Kevin did a great job last year in his first year as a college coach," said Head Coach Joe Griffin. "He coordinated our recruiting, managed film exchange, involved himself in opponent scouting, managed the managers, handled travel arrangements, was involved in strength and conditioning, and was basically in the middle of everything. This year he'll take on even more duties and we expect him to play an integral role in the revival of Roosevelt Basketball."

Devitt joined the Lakers after spending the past two seasons as the head freshman boy's basketball coach and varsity assistant coach at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Ill. During his tenure at Richards, the Bulldogs claimed back-to-back South Suburban Red Conference titles. Devitt also served as an assistant track and field coach at Richards, guiding the team to the South Suburban Red Conference title and the 3A Sectional Title.

Prior to Richards, Devitt spent one year at Lindblom High School, where he served as head freshman basketball coach and varsity assistant. Lindbloom captured the CPS Blue Central Division title that year.

Devitt's coaching resume also includes working the Reebok Breakout Challenge as well as the Jim Whitesell Basketball Camp and the Dwyane Wade Skills Academy. 

Devitt, a graduate of DePaul University, has aided Chicago area players in promoting their skills to prospective colleges, organizing and maintaining the South Suburban Fall Showcase League. The fall league has featured over 200 prospective student-athletes the last two years and is recognized as one of the top showcases in the state.

Devitt also founded the Chicago High School Classic, a high school all-star game that recognized the top 30 graduating seniors. The contest, which was played annually from 2005-09 and aired on Comcast CN 100, featured over 75 student-athletes who went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Devitt attended Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Ill., where he played football and ran track. The football team won the 2003 6A State Championship, and he was a state qualifier during his prep tenure.

Aaron Rolle enters his first season as an assistant coach for the Roosevelt men's basketball team.

Rolle most recently served as an assistant coach at Sterling High School in Sterling, Ill. during the 2010-11 season. He was the head freshman and varsity assistant coach for his alma mater during the 2008-09 campaign.

Rolle graduate from DePaul University in 2008 and has worked numerous camps and clinics, including the Reebok Headliner Camp since leaving Lincoln Park. He recently worked at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois at a Residential Treatment Specialist.

"Aaron has done a quality job so far," said head coach Joe Griffin. "He is great with the guys and has picked up a pulse on the team in a short period of time.

"Aaron will assist in recruiting, practice and game-planning, scouting, and academic support," Griffin continued. "We think that Aaron has a bright future in the college game and within our great university."