When Grant Teaff was named Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association in February 1994, he approached his new role as a coach, by formulating a master game plan.
In 20 years, Teaff has executed that plan at a championship level, and in the process has become one of the most effective administrators in intercollegiate athletics. In 2002, the Sporting News ranked Teaff as one of the most powerful administrators of college athletics. In December 2004, Teaff was named one of the most influential people in college sports by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal. Grant Teaff's outstanding career as a college coach has placed him in eight Halls of Fame, including the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. He won 170 football games, two Southwest Conference Championships, coached in 20 post season bowls and all-star games. He was Coach of the Year six times in the Southwest Conference, and received National Coach of the Year Awards from the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association. In 2006, Teaff was honored with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, one of the highest honors a coach can receive from the AFCA.
Grant Teaff's values are rooted in his West Texas upbringing. He began to develop his leadership skills as a student at Snyder High School. He was captain of his high school, community college, and senior college football teams. He quickly became a leader in his chosen profession. Teaff was involved in national issues as a coach, and as an administrator. As Executive Director of American Football Coaches Association he is involved in every issue that affects the college game, and has become a strong spokesman for the game of football. As a nationally known author and motivational speaker, Teaff loves to share his leadership techniques with those involved in education, the business world, and particularly with coaches.
The 10,000 members of the American Football Coaches Association have had a front row seat as they watched the massive changes that have taken place in the Association in the last eleven years.
Coach Teaff and his wife Donell are the parents of three daughters and have four grandchildren. The Teaff's are deeply involved in their community, having worked for years with Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Red Cross, Friends for Life, Camp Success for children with reading disabilities and his 40 plus years of leadership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Teaff serves on the Downtown Waco Development Board and is a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, "As a great husband, outstanding father and grandfather, and a friend who really cared."
Teaff has written six books: "I Believe," "Winning," "Seasons of Glory," "Coaching in the Classroom," "Grant Teaff with the Master Coaches" and "Beyond the Game."
