Gus Malzhan Is Part of the Auburn Football Family

I did not interview Gus Malzhan for this article. It simply wasn't necessary. I think most will agree on this point once they have read the article.

I was listening to a morning radio show out of Birmingham, AL, the other day. The station it was on, as well as the host of the show, are all Alabama to the core. The topic of the show, "Gus Malzhan."

There has never been a coordinator at Auburn that struck fear into the very heart of the Alabama fan base like Gus Malzhan. He is not an intimidating or mean person. He does not cut his face in the locker room to work young football players into an emotional frenzy. He simply thinks and works and keeps at it every day.

Gus Malzhan might be an offensive genius. I do not know, and I doubt if his IQ worries him much. While his offensive system is great, it sometimes overshadows the fact that he is simply a great coach.

Players get better under the guidance of Coach Malzhan. Chris Todd is only one example of this. There are many others on the Auburn team that have benefited. 

This has not gone unnoticed, and Coach Malzhan is in the running for every third tier head coaching job that comes open. He has earned this attention and respect and deserves it.

I do not think a lateral move into a third tier head coaching job is in the goals for Coach Malzhan. I think he knows that there will be better years upcoming on the plains. With those behind him, he can take an Ole Miss or Arkansas when they come open.

Auburn owes Coach Malzhan respect and thanks for his dedication and results. The Auburn family should be proud and happy for him if he finds another job that meets his goals.

We in the Auburn family should be proud and encouraged when one of our own, including the coaching staff, makes it to the next level. Right now I am enjoying the product Coach Malzhan is putting on the football field.

There is one thing I will miss terribly if Coach Malzhan moves on. No Auburn coach has ever been the main focus for job hunting in the Alabama nation. The effect he has had on that particular rival alone is priceless.

I have heard Coach Malzhan recommended for coaching jobs from the Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida media. The thing the recommendations had in common—none were for jobs in the SEC. If that is not a compliment for Coach Malzhan, I do not know what is!