Former Highland Park assistant settling in as new boys' basketball coach

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Runnin' Scots' new boys' basketball coach may be new to his position, but he's not new to Highland Park.

Nate Wallace, former head assistant coach for Highland Park boys' basketball, has been named the program's new head coach. He takes over for Mike Williams, who stepped away after seven seasons leading the Scots.

Wallace, a Topeka native and graduate of Topeka High, has been a member of Williams' staff for five total seasons. Not only are the two close friends outside of basketball, Williams has been a mentor for Wallace as he transitions into his new role. He's been grateful for his friend's support.

"There's some things he already prepared me for, as far as in our league and how to coach with the other great coaches that we play against and how to prep for them, so a lot of good secrets of the game I was able to get," Wallace said. "We just had a conversation about be yourself, be authentic, be for the community, be for Highland Park."

The Scots' new coach said he was a little apprehensive when Williams first approached him about the position, but is now excited to get to work.

Highland Park made its fourth-straight state tournament appearance in 2024-25, finishing one possession shy of the the 5A state title. With nine graduated seniors and just three returning players from last year's run, Wallace knows there's a lot of building to do.

"We're going to have another vision this year, I don't know if we're going to have a state championship vision, but we are painting of vision of how are we going to get the process rolling and how are we going to take care of business and leave our own legacies," Wallace said.