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Speculation mounts on Gus Malzahn's hiring at historic college football program
Posted on 11/25/25 at 4:30 am
Posted on 11/25/25 at 4:30 am
quote:
Malzahn is a fixture of college football over the last few decades. Of course, he most famously coached Auburn for eight seasons and led them to a national championship runner-up. Since, he coached at UCF for four seasons (2021-24) before accepting a job as the offensive coordinator at Florida State. That career path doesn't strike you as one that's on track for another major head coaching position, but just the other day, Malzahn reportedly interviewed for the open Arkansas job.
That made his comments Sunday evening very interesting. After an announcement was made Sunday that Florida State head coach Mike Norvell would return for 2026, Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White spoke to media Sunday evening on behalf of the 5-6 Seminole team, who face Florida in the upcoming regular season finale. One reporter was bold enough to ask the FSU offensive coordinator point-blank whether he plans to stick with Norvell and the program beyond this season. His answer:
"Yeah," Malzahn said as his eyes darted around the room in front of him. "Yeah, I mean, my intent is to help us get bowl eligible and win this game, and that's exactly what my focus is."
That's not exactly an affirmative yes answer, but it's some sort of yes nonetheless. For certain, though, it's not the sort of yes that makes you think, for one second, that Malzahn is locked in. Not that he should be, either. We're talking about the longtime head coach of the Auburn Tigers who is a current coordinator for a program staring down the barrel of consecutive missed bowl games. If Malzahn has an opportunity to head up the Arkansas program, well, he probably ought to do it.
After all, Malzahn is deeply connected to Arkansas. He played for the Razorback program for a stint back in the 1980s before transferring to Henderson State in Arkadelphia to finish out his career. He even began his coaching career by working at three different high schools in Arkansas before finally making the jump to Arkansas offensive coordinator in 2006. He also made his first jump to head coach at Arkansas State back in 2012, but hasn't stopped back to coach in the Land of Opportunity since accepting the Auburn job.
Wow!
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Posted on 11/25/25 at 4:31 am to TrueLefty
This might be a good hire.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:20 am to TrueLefty
“No doubt.”
“We are a 2 back downhill run first….”
“4 verticals”
“Orbit motion”
“Inside zone”
I was so sick of his inside zone 20 times in a row nonsense, but we certainly hired worse.
The 2013 offense was amazing.
“We are a 2 back downhill run first….”
“4 verticals”
“Orbit motion”
“Inside zone”
I was so sick of his inside zone 20 times in a row nonsense, but we certainly hired worse.
The 2013 offense was amazing.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:39 am to TrueLefty
Arkansas is never going to hire Malzahn. You can bet on it.
This post was edited on 11/25/25 at 7:17 am
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:03 am to TrueLefty
No.
But looks like Mizzou gets to hang onto Dollar General Gus.
But looks like Mizzou gets to hang onto Dollar General Gus.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:10 am to TrueLefty
I’m sure he’s affordable.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:21 am to 2Dueces
Arkansas will not ever hire Malzahn. You can bet on it.
Agreed, I heard this when Bert was fired, and after Morris was canned. But I have to ask...did he really even interview? Not trolling, but some Arkansas writer said Kirby Moore interviewed, it went semi viral in the CFB realm, and was shot down as false...so knowing of the Mahlzan contempt...& the recent false story...I find hard to believe he did...
Agreed, I heard this when Bert was fired, and after Morris was canned. But I have to ask...did he really even interview? Not trolling, but some Arkansas writer said Kirby Moore interviewed, it went semi viral in the CFB realm, and was shot down as false...so knowing of the Mahlzan contempt...& the recent false story...I find hard to believe he did...
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:27 am to TrueLefty
He was the HC at CF and stepped down to be the OC at FSU. How did that work out? Why hire someone who stepped down from a previous HC gig in a major conference.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:52 am to TrueLefty
Auburn should have NEVER fired Malzahn. They’ve been in a death spiral since. Going to be hilarious watching Malzahn waltz into Jordan Hare next year and blowout Auburn. It’s coming.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 6:55 am to ronricks
Bamma should have kept Mike Price
Posted on 11/25/25 at 7:15 am to TampaTiger87
I don’t think we can believe anything that’s being spewed out about who has interviewed or who the coach is going to be. It’s reminding me personally of the Calipari hire. Nobody knew anything until it was done. He wasn’t even on anyone’s radar. Then all of a sudden he’s the coach. I hope something similar happens, but I don’t have my hopes up. Our last 3 football hires have been complete dogshit. I don’t have much confidence.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:10 am to TrueLefty
Gus is past his prime...and his prime was a window of about 8 years from 2007 to 2014. In the years that followed, you can count the number of really big wins on one hand. He must have like 80 million dollars...why don't these coaches ever just quit and enjoy life?
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:12 am to TrueLefty
It needs to happen just to close the circle in NWA
So much angst and warring over Gus, bring your prince home, Hogs
So much angst and warring over Gus, bring your prince home, Hogs
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:15 am to 2Dueces
quote:
Arkansas is never going to hire Malzahn. You can bet on it.
Why are there so many against Gus in Arkansas? If it goes back to the time he was OC there, I watched that Mitch Mustain doc and it was obvious to me that dumbass Houston Nutt was the problem, not Gus.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:17 am to wareaglepete
It goes back to HS
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:22 am to wareaglepete
quote:
Why are there so many against Gus in Arkansas? If it goes back to the time he was OC there, I watched that Mitch Mustain doc and it was obvious to me that dumbass Houston Nutt was the problem, not Gus.
In part because Gus has flirted with taking the job in the past... and used it to get himself a nice raise somewhere else. But, in large part, it is his ties with a megachurch up here. They were obnoxiously major Gus supporters and it tore the fandom apart for quite some time.
Pretty much water under the bridge at this point but I don't know if anyone wants to reopen that can of worms.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:24 am to TrueLefty
quote:
This might be a good hire.
Maybe not at Arkansas, but how about Oklahoma State?
Gus has spent time in Oklahoma before. He was OC at Tulsa for two seasons (2007 - 2008) back when Tulsa was halfway decent.
Tulsa went 10 - 4 and 11 - 3 during his 2 seasons in Tulsa.
He's already familiar with the Big-12 from his time at UCF.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:24 am to Pettifogger
quote:
It goes back to HS
This is the correct answer. Back then you were either for Shiloh Christian or against Shiloh Christian and it was a very heated topic which he was the center of the debate.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:30 am to Arksulli
quote:
But, in large part, it is his ties with a megachurch up here. They were obnoxiously major Gus supporters and it tore the fandom apart for quite some time.
Tore what fandom apart?
I'd like to hear more of that story.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:32 am to OccamsStubble
quote:
Bamma should have kept Mike Price
Yes, the trajectory of Bama post-Mike Price and of Auburn post-Malzahn are very similar, I see your point.
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