Gus Malzahn: What Happened to the Former Auburn Coach?
Gus Malzahn: What Happened to the Former Auburn Coach?
By Arslan Saleem August 16, 2024 06:15
The story of Gus Malzahn's time as head football coach at Auburn University is filled with victories, obstacles, and, in the end, exit. Malzahn went from leading the Tigers to an appearance in a national championship game, only for things to fall apart later, and he was criticized until his eventual dismissal. What follows is a timeline of the key events, decisions, and other situational factors in Malzahn's Auburn tenure.
A Tale of Early Triumph and National Acclaim
Auburn's current head coach, Gus Malzahn, started as an offensive coordinator for former Tigers coach Gene Chizik and played a key role in capturing the national title during the 2010 season. It was the season in which he yielded an unstoppable offense, highlighted by Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, the kind of high-flying attack that would define his coaching career. Malzahn was hired as the head coach at Auburn in 2013 after a successful tenure at Arkansas State and took over an Auburn program coming off of one of its all-time worst seasons, finishing with just three wins, including zero SEC victories.
The 2013 Turnaround
Malzahn's first season as head coach. He took the Tigers to a 12-2 record, defeated in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship game, and won a spot for the BCS National Champion Game against Florida State. It was a signature reversal highlighted by an explosive offensive repertoire and high-volume win total, including the Kick Six over Alabama and the Prayer at Jordan-Hare against Georgia. His efforts to turn around the program made him SEC Coach of the Year, as he also received the Home Depot Coach of Year equivalent.
Success of Program / Competitive Ability
Malzahn was known for developing talent, with multiple Heisman finalists and 14 All-Americans. His offensive schemes, including the hurry-up and no-huddle game when circumstances dictated, became trend-setting. Malzahn's on-field success was buoyed by stellar recruiting classes, often ranked in the top five nationally. He put together six top-10 recruiting classes that would serve as building blocks of long-term competitiveness.
Key Achievements
SEC Championship 2013: Only one season into his tenure at Auburn, Malzahn was hoisting an allusive SEC trophy.
BCS National Championship Appearance: The Tigers' trip to the national title game marked Malzahn as a coaching prodigy.
Issues and Decreasing Performance
Malzahn won early, but his years on the Plains were marred by fresh turmoil. Auburn battled the program, including Alabama and Saban, to a greater extent than it has benefitted. But despite successful seasons, Malzahn's winning percentage steadily decreased from his initial 12 wins in those years.
Offensive Struggles
One critique of Malzahn as a coach was that his offense never truly found any rhythm for multiple years. The Tigers had an explosive season in 2013, but their production has waned since then, and Malzahn's been through a few offensive coordinators trying to regain that magic. Malzahn went through four offensive coordinators in five years, leading to instability and dysfunction within the program. Auburn's 20–26 record in Malzahn games against ranked foes tells the story of inconsistency, if nothing else.
Rivalry Games And Level of Expectation
That failure to deliver regularly, namely against the three programs mentioned earlier in Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, became the common cause of frustration among fans and administration. This was especially troublesome when you considered Malzahn's record of 8-17 vs. said teams, with the goose egg being how he had yet to beat any on the road (0-12).
Turning Point: 2020 Season and Exit
The 2020 season was the linchpin in Malzahn's tenure as Auburn football coach. It had a 6-4 record, yet it was very inconsistent and underwhelming. After a win over Mississippi State, Malzahn danced in the locker room with his players and a day later was told that it would be finally canceled.
Financial Implications
Malzahn's dismissal had consequences. He was midway through a 7-year/$49 million deal for an infeasibly expensive buyout costing $21 million. Athletic director Allen Greene said the move was not easy, especially in a year when finances have been tight due to COVID-19.
Legacy and Future Prospects
The legacy Gus Malzahn leaves at Auburn is quite a muddy one. He is loved for his early wins and the hope he brought, but also for the struggles and defeats in years to come. But Malzahn is the fifth-winningest coach in Auburn history, holding a 68-35 record over eight seasons and a decade with the program.
Moving Forward
Following his departure from Auburn, UCF hired Malzahn away as its next head coach, where he will look to recapture that early success and establish himself again as a winning college football. So he is there to bring the know-how with him in this new challenge, and many are relishing the prospect of how his pragmatism will help or not fit a different environment.
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