After varsity football coach and physical education teaher Tom Taraska retired from Arrowhead last May, the search began for a new varsity football coach. Out of 25 coach applicants, six finalists were chosen: two from AHS and four from outside of Arrowhead.
 
Greg Malling of Rockville, Maryland was chosen to coach the varsity team in June of this year for his track record of coaching and teaching. He has been coaching since 1996 and teaching since 1999. He also got the job as an English teacher at Arrowhead.

Malling said, “I applied for both (jobs). One of the draws of Arrowhead was that the school had opportunities for both positions. Of course the other draws were the quality of the school, the program, the community, and a whole lot of other great things."

Malling lived and coached in Maryland for five years and coached in Florida last year. Arrowhead drew him from sunny Florida to Wisconsin, and it certainly wasn’t the frigid winters. 

“It's the perfect combination of location, quality community, and a school with the desire to be great in everything. It's perfect,” he says. 

 “Mr. Malling is a good teacher,” says Danielle St. Arnauld, a senior in his British Literature class. “He has a good sense of humor and he’s really nice.”

Junior Livi Pitzo agrees: “I like how he seems really interested in the subject that he teaches, and he’s not just here for football.”

But he is also here for football. As he told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “I’m looking forward to the challenge of coaching football at Arrowhead."

Despite his impressive record, some people question the school’s decision of not hiring internally. This being said, Malling said he wants to “continue the rich tradition that the program had under coach Taraska.” 

“The goals in both areas are the same: I am here to help students maximize their potential. I want students to study and play football with passion, balancing their dreams with the price they have to pay for success,” he adds. 

Junior defensive player Justin Brzeczkowski says, "I haven't really spent much time with him, because he works with the offense, but he has a great attitude and he really knows how to make us not just better players but people.”

Austin Haase, a senior on the team, says, "I like Mr. Malling as a person, and I like his coaching style."

Brzeczkowski says there might be a state title in the future.

"He's been helping us work hard and fast-paced and become better at every practice. I'm sure that if we keep up on our intensity, improve in all aspects, and he keeps pushing us, we'll be state champs in no time."

Malling has two wins with the varsity team so far this year.

When it comes to teaching and coaching, he enjoys the students most. 

“I love the energy and optimism teenagers bring to class and the field. Every day reminds me about the power of chasing dreams. Everything has been as good or better than expected.”