The all-boys Griffin High School fielded its first varsity team during the 1959-60 season.  Under the leadership of coach James Weithman (2 years - .618), the Griffin Cyclones successfully completed a 7-1-1 campaign.  In 1961, Bob Astroth (2 years - .556) took over and led the Cyclones to a 7-2 record that year.  From 1963 to 1974, Bob Teater (12 years - .599) led the Cyclones to several winning seasons, including a perfect 8-0 during the 1966 season.  In 1975, George Fleischli (4 years - .822) took over and guided the Cyclones to a State Runner-Up finish in Griffin's first postseason.  Fleischli went on to lead Griffin to playoff appearances in 2 of his next 3 years.  He continues to hold the best overall winning percentage among coaches at Griffin/SHG.

During the early 1980's, head coach Robin Cooper (5 years - .821) led Griffin to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, including a state title game appearance in 1982 against Geneseo Darnell.  In 1984, Ken Leonard (22 years - .804) became the 6th head football coach at Griffin High School.  He led the Cyclones to four playoff appearances in his first four years at the helm, including 3 seasons with 10 wins or more.  In 1988, the all-boys Griffin High School merged with the all-girls Sacred Heart Academy to form Sacred Heart - Griffin High School, a co-educational institution.  At SHG, Leonard has led the Cyclones to 15 playoff appearances, two State Championships and two State Runner-Up finishes.  The present coach, he remains the all-time winningest football coach at Griffin/SHG with 215 wins.

As a perennial football power, SHG has one of the best fan bases in the state. Those in gold and black follow their team with a passion and in great numbers.  At the 2005 5A State Title Game, SHG brought what several in the statewide media described as "the largest and loudest" contingent of fans ever at a football state championship series.  And in front of that crowd estimated at between 7-8,000 people, the Cyclones emerged as the State Champions of Class 5A after defeating Rock Island Alleman.  At the 2003 5A State Title Game, SHG brought nearly 7,000 fans up to Champaign to watch the Cyclones take on juggernaut Joliet Catholic in the bitter cold.  And during the 2000 playoffs, Cyclone Nation traveled up I-55 to Joliet to watch The Gold and Black Attack take on JCA.  SHG matched JCA fan for fan...and we let the Hilltoppers hear it!  Loud and intimidating, the Cyclone crowd forced several JCA mistakes as SHG rallied from a large deficit early in the game.  Although a tough loss to the eventual 2000 4A state champions ensued, one thing was clear from that game: SHG fans love their football.