Keith Maloof, with his 210 wins and a pair of state championships, retired in December after 26 seasons leading the Blue Devils. Norcross unveiled its stadium’s new name, “Keith G. Maloof Field,” before its 16-12 victory over Lanier — led by Keith’s son Tyler, the Longhorns’ head coach — in the season opener.
With longtime assistant Corey Richardson taking the Norcross program’s reins, Maloof plans a different approach to his first season away from the sidelines.
“I’m humbled,” Maloof said. “A lot of hard work went into this with my wife, and now I’m almost speechless. It’s one of those things you read about happening to other people, but it’s a great honor. Norcross has been a great place for our family. Our kids were pretty much raised through Norcross, from when they were young to where they are now.”
After three seasons at Tucker, Maloof took over at Norcross before the 1999 season, almost immediately turning around a program that had posted three straight losing campaigns and saw dwindling participation numbers. From 2005 to Maloof’s last season in 2024, the Blue Devils missed the postseason just once, while winning the school’s first two state titles in 2012 and 2013. Away from the victories and countless players that have excelled at the college and pro levels, it’s been the impact outside of the school zone that will stay with Maloof.
“It’s hard to put into words what this community has meant to us,” Maloof said. “The administration, the kids, the parents, everyone has put so much time and energy to get us where we need to be to help all the student-athletes, male and female, to achieve what they thought they wouldn’t have been able to achieve.”
It was virtually impossible to step foot in the Norcross hallways and not feel Maloof’s presence, according to Will Bishop, who served as the school’s principal for the second half of Maloof’s tenure.
“I’ve had the chance to work with Coach for the last 14 years, and he’s done such a tremendous job,” Bishop said. “He really cares about the kids. Of course, he knows a lot about football, but he’s really about the kids being successful both inside and outside the classroom. That’s what’s most important. Create kids who can be successful in the future.”
With little left to prove, the veteran head ball coach gave way to Richardson, his longtime defensive assistant, who earned his first victory after a two-plus hour weather delay Friday.
“Coach Richardson deserves this opportunity,” Maloof said. “He stuck with us for 24 years. He waited his time. He’s had other opportunities that he turned down to stay here and coach at a high level like he’s done. Now it’s his turn to take the reins and do the things he needs to do, put his stamp on the program.”
Richardson, who said he wouldn’t be where he is without Maloof, will bring the same edge to the program that’s been a power in Gwinnett County for the better part of the century.
“The nice reality for us is that Coach Richardson has been with us for so many years,” Bishop said. “He’s really grown up as a coach under Coa... Click here to read full article
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