Introduction for George Maloof at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 15, 2025

Our next inductee is George B. Maloof, head football coach at St. Pius for 26. It is absolutely impossible to cover his accomplishments and impact on his players, his students and St. Pius in the short time we have.

George Maloof is a legend in the state of Georgia. In 1947 he helped to lead the Marist War Eagles to a 6-4-1 season. Maloof went on to play college ball at Georgia Tech and helped lead the Jackets to an undefeated season and an SEC title in 1951. After military service he became the very first lay member of the faculty at St. Pius X when the school opened in 1958, and the stadium was named in his honor in 2004. Maloof was the football coach from 1958-84, as well as a math and mechanical drawing teacher, athletic director, assistant to the principal, and head of boys' discipline. He also served as basketball and baseball coach for eight years.

During the decade of the 1960s, St. Pius X became a football juggernaut, posting an 82-18-7 record. Maloof's teams were noted for their defense as the Golden Lions recorded 43 shutouts, and allowed less than 6 points per game. In addition to the AA State Championship in 1968, the 1965 team finished as AA State Runners-Up. His teams also earned seven regional and sub-regional titles. Maloof earned two Georgia Coach of the Year accolades during the 60’s.  His overall record during his tenure as head coach was 168-85-12. Of these 168 wins, 79 were shutouts!

Former St. Pius X head coach Paul Standard shared: "Coach Maloof was an inspiration for the entire St. Pius X Community-he is 'St. Pius X'. Our school is what it is today because of the vision, dedication, and love that Coach Maloof had for St. Pius X. 

Former Principal Steve Spellman acknowledged the many contributions made by Maloof, "The success and reputation that St. Pius X enjoys today is deeply rooted in the contributions made by George Maloof during his time here. The number of lives he touched then, and continues to touch now is astounding. His motto of urging each and every person to be the best they can be with the gifts God has given them, not only carried him to a long list of life-time accomplishments, but continues to take this institution to new levels of excellence in all phases of operation."

Former Athletic Director Mark Kelly, "Coach Maloof's record is incredible and speaks for itself. The most remarkable thing to me, however, is the effect that he had on every young man that ever played for him. There is not one of us who does not think of him often. We often ask ourselves 'What would Coach Maloof do?'”

When asked what he learned most from his father, his son Kevin, also a head football coach said, "Just the way he treated people and the relationship he had with his players – he meant so much to so many people."

His players consistently say: Coach Maloof was a great coach and father figure. And they, and all of us remember: "Be the best you can be, with the ability that God gave you”

In 1982, George received the Papal Medal Benemerenti (well-merited) from Pope John Paul II and he was Man of the Year by the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1983.

He was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June of 2009 and was inducted as part of the inaugural Class into the Georgia Football Hall of Fame in July 2022.

Accepting the honor of being inducted into the St. Pius Hall of Fame, on George’s behalf is his grandson Tyler.