Why Gus Malzahn Should End Up As Head Coach At Vanderbilt

Vandy needs to Seize the Day.

Vandy needs to make a bold move.

Vandy needs to play Bachelorette and give a rose to Gus Malzahn. What a perfect match these two make. This could be like Spurrier coaching at Duke,or better yet, like Krzyzewski.  

Intelligent players running a disciplined and forward offense. It could be the beginning of something very interesting in our conference, and I’m going to tell you why.

Malzahan can recruit.

He brought Michael Dyer and Kiehl Frazier to Auburn. Both from Arkansas and both national recruits. After being hired as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2005, he brought with him Mitch Mustain, Ben Cleveland and Damien Williams. All national recruits.

He can coach.

At Tulsa in 2007 and 2008, Malzahn's offense finished first in the nation in total yards per game. They finished second in the nation in scoring, just behind Oklahoma, at 47 points per game. His units improve over the course of his stay.

He has no baggage. Tony Franklin, he is not.

His record is proven enough for Vandy. His head coaching experience is all at the high school level but he was interviewed at his alma matar Arkansas for its vacancy in 2007.

Vandy runs their athletic department as part of their intramural sports program. That’s as close to a hybrid high school/college situation as will ever happen in the SEC.

Robbie Caldwell, named as interim head coach just a few days ago, also registers all of his head coaching experience at the high school level.

Vanderbilt has a short window to overtake Tennessee as the power in this state. I don't want to use this column to recount Tennessee's woes, but they are plentiful. With the right hire, Vanderbilt can make a strong move toward that goal.

This would be good for our conference. With Urban Meyer at Florida, Spurrier at South Carolina, Petrino at Arkansas and, if Vandy is smart—and we all know they are, Gus Malzahn at Vanderbilt.

I don't see Phil Fulmer donning black and gold and I don't see anyone in the SEC hiring Mike Leach. The Nashville area is a hotbed for college talent and the city itself offers more glitz than most SEC campuses.

Auburn fans will have to whistle through the graveyard on this one but that and running backs are kinda what they’re known for.