Scotland basketball coach Michael Malpass reaches career milestone 300 wins

LAURINBURG — When Scotland head basketball coach Michael Malpass played for the Fighting Scots from 1992-95, he never knew he’d become his alma mater’s head coach one day, or have his former high school coach Walter Steele on his staff today.

He also never realized he would reach a career milestone 300 wins as a head basketball coach.

On Jan. 5, when the final buzzer sounded to give Scotland a 63-56 win over the Purnell Swett Rams, Malpass had secured his 300th career win as a head coach.

Malpass, who has been a head boys varsity basketball coach for 16 years, is now in his second stint as the Scotland varsity head basketball coach after he coached the Fighting Scots from 2013-15 before stepping down to pursue a full-time role as a pastor at New Hope Baptist Church. Malpass still preaches there to this day.

And, if it wasn’t for his faith and those that helped him along the way, Malpass said he wouldn’t be where he is today.

“I want to thank the folks who invested in me when I started this journey of coaching boys’ varsity basketball,” he said. “I was an intern for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte while attending there under former head coach Bobby Lutz, who is the all-time wins leader at Charlotte, and his knowledge, approach, and belief in his players, coaches, and myself made a huge impact at an early age. I played basketball at Scotland High and my most influential coach was Walter Steele, who is on my staff today. I want to thank the administration, coaches, and players from Harvest Christian Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, Evangel Family Christian Academy in Montgomery, Ala. Crenshaw Christian Academy in Luverne, Ala. Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, N.C., Marlboro Academy in Bennettsville, S.C., and my current alma mater Scotland High School.”

“My strongest and best support has always been my wife Charity Malpass, who is not only a wonderful coach’s wife, but also a wonderful pastor’s wife. My four kids love sports and have shown me unconditional love and support and a special thanks goes to Bronson, Makayla, Peyton, and Reagan. I believe writing a vision, making it plain, and going after it with passion and good mentors is the key to achieving your dreams. I sit here today with multiple conference championships, state championships, final four appearances, but (it couldn’t be done) most importantly (without) the players who have won all the games in real time. Our goal is to love our staff and players, and help them be successful in every area of life.”

Malpass started playing basketball at Scotland on the ninth grade team that was coached by Steele in 1992.

Steele, who’s currently an assistant basketball coach at Scotland, recalls that Malpass was a great shooter, but what stood out about him was his willingness to learn the game.

“Coach Malpass was a great student back when I had him,” Steele said. “He was a very coachable kid and he was a hard-working kid. He tried real hard to do everything the right way, but he was one that I had to really push…to make him shoot the ball. He was a very, very good ball player. And, now that he’s back (as a coach), he’s a very knowledgeable young man who knows the game. He had a great impact on my life and I’m just excited for him to win 300 games. He’s a great person to work with.”

When Malpass attended Charlotte, he couldn’t stay away from the game of basketball and was eager to continue learning.

Lutz recalls when Malpass was a senior at Charlotte and would consistently watch the basketball team play.

“Mike (Malpass) spent a lot of his senior year in college watching our practices and games,” Lutz said. “He had a passion for basketball and people.”

Lutz knew Malpass’s biggest passion was his faith and believes he found “a perfect career teaching and coaching.”

“His success on the court speaks for itself and is matched by the positive difference he has made in the lives of so many young people,” Lutz said.

Malpass’s all-time coaching record now stands at 301-165 after the Scots picked up a 53-39 win against Fairmont on Jan. 7.