The floor general of Winona State’s first national championship team will be back in McCown Gymnasium, this time as an assistant coach.
Zach Malvik, an All-American who led the Winona State men’s basketball team to the national championship game in both 2006 and 2007 has been hired as an assistant coach with the program, head coach Mike Leaf announced today.
"Zach is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached," Leaf said. "He brings the same energy and passion to coaching that he had as a player. I am extremely excited to add him to my staff and to begin working with him."
Malvik brings extensive experience as both a player and coach to the Warrior bench. The Holmen, Wis. native spent last season as an assistant at Saint Mary’s University in Winona and also spent three seasons playing professional basketball in Australia.
"I’m extremely excited for this opportunity," Malvik said. "Winona State has meant so much to me as someone who grew up in this area and who played basketball here. I couldn’t be happier to be back and am looking forward to the opportunity to work for Coach Leaf and to get started."
Malvik spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach at Saint Mary’s, helping coach Will Swiggum to all-conference honors.
Prior to his season at SMU, Malvik played professionally for three seasons in Australia. He also spent time as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas.
One of the greatest players in Winona State history, Malvik was the cornerstone of a team that went 32-4 during the 2005-06 season, culminating with the program’s first national championship. He led the Warriors to a 35-1 record the next year, helping the team get back to the NCAA Division II National Championship game.
Malvik was an All-American selection during his senior season while being named the MVP of the NCAA Regional Tournament. The point guard was an all-NSIC selection in each of his four years with the program. Malvik ended his career as the program’s all-time assist leader (549) and graduated second on the school’s scoring charts (1,971).
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