Auburn University hired Gus Malzahn to replace Gene Chizik. It has been a whole two years since the Tigers won the National Championship and haven't beaten Alabama since, so Chizik gotta go, right? Well, his replacement is a man called Gus Malzahn and for those of you who wonder how it came to be, here is the story.
Malzahn was one of the first high school coaches to develop the no huddle, shot gun, throw it all over the lot, spread offences. He did it in the state of Arkansas, parlaying success as head coach at Shiloh Christian to directing powerhouse Springdale in 2001.
In 2005, Malzahn's Springdale team easily captured the 5-A championship, outscoring opponents 664-118. About this same time Huston Nutt, University of Arkansas Head Coach's seat was beginning to get hot. Seems the folks in Fayetteville felt to compete with LSU and Alabama in the SEC West, the Razorbacks needed to upgrade their offense.
Another piece to the puzzle is the Springdale roster included a bevy of Bluechippers including Player of the Year QB Mitch Mustain. In a nothing surprises me anymore moment, Arkansas hired the never coached in college before Malzahn and Mustain and the other bluechips happened to make their way to pig heaven.
In 2006, Arkansas won the SEC West, but it was the ground game, not the spread that was responsible. Losses to LSU, Florida (in SEC Championship) and Wisconsin in Cap One Bowl resulted in tension over the offensive philosophy and led to Malzahn leaving for Tulsa. Ironically (not), Mustain transferred to USC.
In 2007, Tulsa led the nation in total yards per game and became the first team in NCAA history to have a 5,000 yard passer. In 2008, Tulsa finished with the second highest scoring offense in the history of major college football.
In 2008, first year coach Gene Chizik named Malzahn offensive coordinator at Auburn. The Tigers offense steadily showed improvement and in 2010, with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton at QB, the Tigers led the SEC in scoring offense and total offense on their way to an undefeated 13-0 record. Auburn won the 2011 BCS championship. In December of 2011 Malzahn left Auburn to become head coach at Arkansas State. He went 9-3 in what would be his only season, because in December of 2012 he was named to replace Chizik at Auburn.
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