BY RICK REED News-Gazette Sports Editor UNION CITY, Ind. – For Keith Maloy, it is a natural progression. For Mike Thornburg, it was a time to slow down. Maloy is the new athletic director at Union City High School, stepping down from his post as the high school football coach to fill the void left by Thornburg. Maloy's starting date is July 1. "It was a tough decision to give up football. That was a really tough call. But I just felt like this was an opportunity to help a lot more kids from Union City. "I talked about it with my wife and we felt like it was kind of a natural progression for me," Maloy said about his new position. Maloy confided he has no illusions about the task of taking over for Thornburg, a man who he said is largely responsible for many of the new athletic facilities on the school property. With Thornburg at the helm, Union City athletic facility has grown into a respected complex that has successfully hosted a number of tournaments. He was also instrumental in organizing the school's first co-ed sanctioned soccer program. "Mike Thornburg is as passionate about the student-athletes at Union City as anybody I've ever been around," states UCHS Superintendent Aaron Black. "He has gone above and beyond when it comes to making sure we have uniforms and equipment and making sure our officials in place. It's been a blessing and an honor to work with Mike." Black said the school is fortunate to have Maloy, am established fixture in the community. "We're excited about having Keith in the position," Black said. "It's hard to find a guy like him who has proven to give the time and effort, someone who is established and has done a great job with the football program. He has the background. I've already seen him flip the switch." Thornburg is quick to point out he is not "retiring" and indicated he will be helping out the athletic department in a more limited role while he is afforded more time to spend with his family. "Having Mike as a resource is going to be huge," Black said. "We're really lucky that he is going to be around to advise us." Maloy has extensive experience as a football coach, wrestling coach and educator at UCHS. Despite being one of the smallest Class A teams in the Tri-Eastern Conference, Union City's football team has recorded a 51-73 mark in Maloy's 12 years and two different stints on the sideline. The 2011 team finished 9-2. Several wrestlers achieved great success with Maloy as their coach, from All-State players to semi-state qualifiers to Kyle Walters advancing to the state meet in 2011. "I wanted a chance to influence our kids, and what better way to do that than to be able to influence the ones who coach our kids," Maloy said. Among other new coaching hires at UCHS, former assistant Kyler Purdin has been hired as the new football coach to replace Maloy. Former player Emily Livingston has been hired as the school's new varsity volleyball coach.