Michael Geller was looking for a new challenge.
In his fourth year as a physical education at Highland High School, he’s been appointed as the new coach of the varsity basketball team, replacing former coach Jim Malak.
“Over COVID, I have been wanting to challenge myself,” Geller said. “I had done soccer (at Fallsburg) and I thought there was a great opportunity here.”
Geller is also the boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Highland. Before coming to Highland, the New Paltz-native coached at Fallsburg, where he coached the boys’ soccer team to a Section 9 Class B championship.

He’s inheriting a team that’s coming off a down year, as the Huskies were winless last year, after reaching the Section 9 Class B semifinals in 2018-19 season.
“Coach Malak did a great job,” Geller said. “The girls worked so hard for him and I hope they do for me.”
Last season, Malak had described the Huskies as a two-year project as the team didn’t have any seniors and everyone was expected back. Geller said he has seen the sign-up list for the upcoming season and while most have signed up to return, several have not.
That could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I know a lot of athletes want to play, but some are worried, and they expressed those worries,” Geller said. “Some of them are very eager, especially the seniors. They’ve been highly impacted, and they want to have those senior moments that every senior has. I just hope we can give him those special days.”
In his fourth year at Highland, this year’s seniors are the first class Geller has seen through the school from the time they were freshmen.
“I think that has to only be a positive,” Geller said. “They’re my first class here and I really think I’ve built those relationships.”
There’s going to be a transition as players and coach adjust to the new dynamic, and he said as a first-year coach, he has things to figure out and he has coaches he can go to for guidance.
One is Marlboro boys’ basketball coach Mike Koehler, the father of freshman Grace Koehler, who played on the varsity team last year.
He also has strong relationships with former New Paltz basketball coach Jeff Ackert, Highland athletic director Frank Alfonso has coached boys’ and girls’ and was his soccer coach at New Paltz. He also speaks with former Wallkill athletic director Jeff Hartman and former Wallkill basketball coach John McCormick.
“All those coaches are in my boxing corner and they’re great resources I can reach out to,” Geller said. “I’m very fortunate to have them in my corner. I’m also a person I hope will figure it out quickly.”
He also has pandemic restrictions to work through. The winter season is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30, a delay of two weeks. Basketball is considered a high-risk sport by the New York State Dept. of Health and as of press time will only be allowed to conduct practices at that point.
Guidance is expected soon.
The Highland Athletic Club has been holding sessions outside on Tuesdays and Thursdays, not related to any sport, but more about kids keeping in shape.
He hopes by January, they’ll be playing games.
“I look to keep it simple,” Geller said. “Hopefully, we’ll peak for sectionals whatever they look like.”