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Gus Malzahn

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Gus Malzahn
File:Gus Malzahn 2013-09-01 13-51.jpg
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamAuburn
ConferenceSEC
Biographical details
Born (1965-10-28) October 28, 1965 (age 58)
Irving, Texas
Playing career
Position(s)Wide receiver
Head coaching record
Overall10–3 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Rivals.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year (2006)
Broyles Award (2010)

Arthur Gustav "Gus" Malzahn III (born October 28, 1965) is an American football coach and former player. Malzahn is currently the head coach at Auburn University, after serving as head coach at Arkansas State University in 2012. From 2009 to 2011, Malzahn served as the offensive coordinator at Auburn University. In 2010, a season in which the Auburn Tigers won the national championship, Malzahn received the Broyles Award, which recognizes the top assistant coach in college football. Prior to his stints at Arkansas State and Auburn, Malzahn served as offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas and the University of Tulsa, respectively.

Playing career

Malzahn graduated from Fort Smith Christian High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1984 and was a walk-on receiver at Arkansas under then-head coach Ken Hatfield in 1984 and 1985 before transferring to Henderson State University located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he was a two-year letterman (1988, '89) and earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1990.

Coaching career

High school coaching career

Malzahn got his start as the defensive coordinator at Hughes High School in 1991. He became head coach in 1992 and in 1994 Hughes reached the state championship game with an upset of Pine Bluff Dollarway. Hughes fell just short in the title game, losing to Lonoke on an interception in the final minute.

Malzahn's success at Hughes and his wide-open attack landed him a head coaching position at Shiloh Christian in 1996. From 1996–2000, he transformed Shiloh Christian into one of the most dynamic offensive prep squads in the nation. In 1998, Shiloh Christian set a national record with 66 passing touchdowns for the season, while quarterback Josh Floyd nearly set an individual national record with 5,878 total yards (5,221 passing, 657 rushing).[1] Malzahn guided the Saints to back-to-back state championships in 1998 and 1999.

In 2001, Malzahn took over for legendary coach Jarrell Williams at Springdale High School. Malzahn continued the rich tradition of the Bulldogs’ program. He led the program to two state championship game appearances in his last four years, winning the title in 2005.

Malzahn led his squad to the state title game in only his second season in 2002. The Bulldogs lost 17–10 to Fort Smith Southside.

Springdale was on track for another state title game appearance in 2004 before Little Rock Central sidetracked the Bulldogs’ title hopes in the state semifinals. Springdale was upset by the eventual state champion, 31–20. The Bulldogs finished the season at 12–1.

Malzahn's 2005 squad at Springdale went 14–0, easily won the state’s Class 5A championship, outscored its opponents 664–118, including a 54–20 victory over West Memphis in the state championship game, and was consistently ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation.

Included on the championship team were prize recruits Mitch Mustain, Ben Cleveland, Andrew Norman, and Damian Williams who all eventually joined their coach at the University of Arkansas. Offensive tackle Bartley Webb decided to leave the state to play for the University of Notre Dame.

In 2013, Malzahn was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.[2][3]

College coaching career

As Offensive Coordinator

University of Arkansas

Malzahn joined Houston Nutt's staff on December 9, 2005, as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach,[4] following an impressive five-year run at Springdale High School capped by one of the most dominant seasons by any high school in 2005. Given that much of Springdale High's football talent decided to follow Malzahn to Arkansas and the fact that Malzahn had never coached in college, many questioned what Houston Nutt's motives were. Malzahn was part of the Razorbacks 2006 season in which they won the SEC Western Division championship. However, their season ended with three straight losses to LSU, Florida in the SEC Championship Game, and Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl to finish with a 10–4 record.

There was a widely reported tension between Houston Nutt's reliance on the ground game (which turned out to be one of the best running games in the nation in 2006) and Malzahn's philosophy of spreading the field with a no-huddle offense. The poor ending of the season only added stress to the already tense coaching relationship. Malzahn was named the National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by Rivals.com.

In January 2007, Malzahn received an offer from the University of Tulsa and his friend, new head coach Todd Graham. He took the Tulsa job to be offensive coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Shortly after, both Mustain and Williams decided to transfer to the University of Southern California.

University of Tulsa

During the 2007 season Malzahn emerged as one of the premier offensive coordinators in the nation, as Tulsa ranked 1st in the nation in total yards per game, ahead of Texas Tech and Hawaiʻi, and with a more balanced attack than both teams.[5] The Golden Hurricane also ranked 3rd in the nation in passing[6] and led their conference in scoring. Tulsa became the first team in NCAA history to have a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers in a single season.[7][8]

After the regular season, Malzahn interviewed for the open position at Arkansas once Nutt resigned in November 2007.[9]

In 2008, Tulsa was again the nation's most prolific attack, leading with nearly 7,980 total yards of offense averaging 570 yards per game.[10] The Golden Hurricane were ranked 2nd in the nation in scoring behind Oklahoma, scoring over 47 points per game.[11] Tulsa not only ranked 2nd in the nation in scoring that year, but finished with the 2nd highest scoring offense in the history of major college football. The offense was also the nation's most balanced attack, ranking 5th in the nation in rushing[12] and 9th in passing.[13] The Tulsa quarterbacks finished 3rd in the nation in passing efficiency, behind only Oklahoma and Texas.[14]

Auburn University

Malzahn was named the offensive coordinator at Auburn University by first year head coach Gene Chizik on December 28, 2008.[15] Under Malzahn, Auburn made significant improvements over the previous season's offensive production; the Tigers finished the season ranked 16th in total offense (2nd in the SEC against all opponents) with just under 432 yards per game[16] and 17th in scoring with over 33 points per game[17] after being tied for 110th in the nation in scoring the previous season.[18] Although he still made significant improvements in his first year, against SEC competition Auburn managed 377.1 total yards a game which placed them 4th in the SEC (behind Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss).[19] His first season broke the Auburn single season total offense record previously set by the undefeated 2004 team. Head coach Gene Chizik had stressed prior to the season that he intended to focus on the run game which showed great improvement as well; the rushing offense finished the season ranked 13th in the nation with 212 yards per game[20] after being ranked 69th prior to the new coaching staff's arrival.[21] Passing numbers also improved under the new offensive scheme, with the passing efficiency ranking ending up 22nd nationally[22] after being ranked 106th in 2008.[23] Senior quarterback Chris Todd set a single-season touchdown record at Auburn and finished the season with a passer rating of 145.73, ranking him 18th in the nation.[24] During the 2009 season, Auburn's offense under Malzahn, produced 120 plays of 15 yards or more, nearly doubling the 62 compiled in 2008.

In 2010, Malzahn's offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton at quarterback, helped Auburn achieve an undefeated record, a No. 1 national ranking after the regular season[25] and a berth in the BCS Championship game, played on January 10, 2011. Auburn led the SEC in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, pass efficiency, first downs and first down conversions[26] on its way to a 13–0 record and a 56–17 victory over South Carolina in the SEC Championship Game. Malzahn was awarded the 2010 Broyles Award, recognizing him as the top assistant coach in the nation. Auburn went on to win the 2011 BCS National Championship Game against Oregon.

In 2011, ESPN selected Malzahn as one of the best recruiters in the Southeastern Conference.[27]

As Head Coach

Arkansas State University

On December 13, 2011, Malzahn left Auburn to accept the position of head football coach at Arkansas State University.[28] In his first and only year at Arkansas State, Malzahn lead the team to a 9-3 record and a Conference Championship with a win over Middle Tennessee State, 45-0.

Auburn University

On December 4, 2012, Malzahn was announced to replace Gene Chizik as the head coach of Auburn University shortly after winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Malzahn's first hires were Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson (former Head Coach at Southern Miss and previously coached as Defensive Coordinator at several SEC schools) and Offensive Coordinator Rhett Lashlee (who followed Malzahn from Arkansas State where he was also the Offensive Coordinator).

In 2013, the Auburn Tiger offense under Malzahn was led by quarterback Nick Marshall.

Offensive philosophy

Malzahn is known for his no-huddle offensive philosophy. In January 2003, he published a book and instructional video titled Hurry Up No Huddle – An Offensive Philosophy (ISBN 9781585186549), that became the blueprint for the offensive wave engulfing the state.[29] Several NFL teams adopted some of Malzahn's offensive strategies.[30] Malzahn is perhaps best known for the "Wildcat" formation, which became famous during his year at the Razorbacks, a variation on the single wing.

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Arkansas State Red Wolves (Sun Belt Conference) (2012)
2012 Arkansas State 9–3 7–1 1st GoDaddy.com*
Arkansas State: 9–3 7–1 * Did not coach bowl game
Auburn Tigers (Southeastern Conference) (2013–present)
2013 Auburn 1–0 0–0 (West)
Auburn: 1–0 0–0
Total: 10–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Published works

  • The Hurry Up, No Huddle: An Offensive Philosophy (2003) (ISBN 978-1-585186-54-9)

References

  1. ^ NFLHS.com – News – Records
  2. ^ "Auburn's Gus Malzahn to be inducted into Arkansas' high school Hall of Fame". Sporting News. 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "'I've got to pinch myself:' Gus Malzahn returns to Arkansas to be inducted into coaches' hall of fame". al.com. 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "Gus Malzahn Named as UA Offensive Coordinator". Hogwired.com. March 24, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  5. ^ "Yahoo! Sports: Sortable Team Stats: Total Offense". Sports.yahoo.com. April 20, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  6. ^ "2007 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Passing Offense". NCAA. 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  7. ^ Zenor, John (January 7, 2008). "Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7". Associated Press.
  8. ^ Evans, Thayer (October 25, 2008). "So Spread Out, So Hard to Catch". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Clemson’s Bowden apparent leader in UA coaching search
  10. ^ "2008 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Total Offense". NCAA. 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  11. ^ "2008 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Scoring Offense". NCAA. 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  12. ^ "2008 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Rushing Offense". NCAA. 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  13. ^ "2008 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Passing Offense". NCAA. 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  14. ^ "2008 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report – Passing Efficiency". NCAA. 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  15. ^ "Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to take job at Auburn – ESPN". ESPN. December 28, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  16. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=B&rpt=IA_teamtotoff&site=org
  17. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=B&rpt=IA_teamscoroff&site=org
  18. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&div=B&rpt=IA_teamscoroff&site=org
  19. ^ "2009 Southeastern Conference Team Leaders". cfbstats.com. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  20. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=B&rpt=IA_teamrush&site=org
  21. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&div=B&rpt=IA_teamrush&site=org
  22. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=B&rpt=IA_teampasseff&site=org
  23. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&div=B&rpt=IA_teampasseff&site=org
  24. ^ http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=B&rpt=IA_playerpasseff&site=org
  25. ^ "2011 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 8 – ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  26. ^ http://sec.xosdigitallabs.com/Portals/3/SEC Website/football/confldrs.htm
  27. ^ "The SEC's 25 best recruiters". ESPN. 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  28. ^ "Gus Malzahn leaving Auburn to become head coach at Arkansas State". Alabama Live. December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  29. ^ Yates, Robert (October 17, 2008). "High School Football in the 21st Century: That wave was overcome by a Crimson Tide. A whole new ballgame". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  30. ^ Battista, Judy (October 11, 2008). "A Wildcat Is a Tiger by the Tail for Defenses". New York Times.

Further reading

  • Voigt, Kurt (2007). Year of the Dog: One Year, One Team, One Goal. Las Vegas: Stephens Press. ISBN 978-1-932173-64-2.

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