Interview: Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Year – Keith Maloof, Norcross HS

Keith Maloof of Norcross High School is the 2023 Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Year and will serve as the Falcons nominee for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. The award is given to the high school head coach who represents integrity, leadership, perseverance, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection and on-field success.

Maloof's on-field success has allowed him to become a pioneer in the Georgia high school football community. With more than 40 years of coaching experience, including 28 seasons as a head coach, Maloof won back-to-back state titles (2012-13) and recently became the winningest coach in Gwinnett County history. With an overall record of 224-99, Maloof's teams have won seven region titles in addition to his two state titles. Maloof is also 202-88 at Norcross, making him Gwinnett County's first 200-game winner.

This past season, Maloof led his program to a No. 224 ranking in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.

Under Maloof’s leadership, ten former Norcross players have gone on to play in the National Football League. Currently, five former Blue Devils play in the NFL — punter Jake Camarda (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), linebacker Lorenzo Carter (Atlanta Falcons), guard Max Garcia (New Orleans Saints) and running back Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints).

Carter surprised his former coach with news that he had been named the 2023 Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Year

Below, High School Football America’s Jeff Fisher talks with Coach Maloof about winning the award and his 40 years on high school sidelines.

Photo: AP/Logan Bowles