David Griffin

David Griffin began coaching weightlifting at Hyde Park Gym in Austin, TX in 2015 while earning his degree in Exercise Science with a Specialization in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Texas. Shortly after beginning his coaching career David began training, studying, and mentoring under Senior International Coach Ursula Garza Papandrea. In 2016, while developing a women’s team at Hyde Park Gym, David founded the University of Texas Weightlifting Team and began coaching alongside Ursula at Naturally Fit in North Austin. In 2018, David and Ursula opened Texas Barbell Club, a standalone weightlifting facility in Central Austin. In 2020, David founded the Texas Collegiate Weightlifting Conference, a regional sports conference meant to encourage intercollegiate competition and raise the competitive level of the sport in Texas. 

David is a USAW National Coach, a level he acquired in 2017, as well as a USAW Coaching Course Lead Instructor, which he also attained in 2017. David is a USAW national referee, a level he reached in 2017. David has taught USAW Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching courses all throughout the state of Texas. David has served on the Board for the South Texas LWC since 2016, as the Treasurer, then Vice President, and now President. In 2020, David was elected to the National University Weightlifting Committee, a USAW committee dedicated to the growth of weightlifting at the collegiate level. David serves as the chair of the committee and the regional representative for the southwest region. David has coached athletes to numerous medals at the Youth National Championships, Junior National Championships, University National Championships, Under 25 National Championships, American Open Finals, and National Championships.