King of Prussia native Megan Griffith has become one of college basketball’s most compelling rebuild stories, writes Gina Mikel for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Now in her 10th season leading Columbia University, the Villa Maria Academy graduate has transformed a long-struggling Ivy League program into a consistent contender. Under her guidance, the Lions have claimed multiple Ivy League regular-season titles, earned rare at-large NCAA bids, and captured the first March Madness win in school history.
Griffith’s coaching identity is unmistakably shaped by her Montco roots. Her practices echo with signature mantras: “How you do anything is how you do everything” and “Coach-led, player-fed” . These phrases keep her team grounded in process over pressure. She credits that approach to lessons learned locally: the intensity of her Villa Maria coach, the scrappiness of the Allen Iverson Sixers she grew up watching, and the work ethic instilled by her Delco dad and Hong Kong–born mom.
Her path to Columbia’s sideline included a standout playing career at the school, professional stops in Europe, and coaching roles at Princeton that helped her understand both strategy and recruiting. That blend has fueled a system built on guard play, culture, and player development.
With expectations now higher than ever, Griffith believes Columbia can continue its historic climb, and push even deeper into March.
Read more about King of Prussia’s Megan Griffith in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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