Malzahn

Auburn hired another author today. Or should I say, Auburn hired an “Arthur” today. That’s right, Arthur Gustav Malzahn III, better known as Gus Malzahn, was hired as the new offensive coordinator for Auburn University.

Gus Malzahn was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 28, 1965. He graduated from Fort Smith Christian High School in 1984, and was a walk-on receiver for the Ken Hatfield led Arkansas Razorbacks. After two years, he transferred to Henderson State University where he was a two year letterman in football, and where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Gus Malzahn has been successful at every coaching stop in his career. In fact, he is a high school coaching legend in the state of Arkansas. From 1996 – 2000, he was the head coach of Shiloh Christian where he transformed their football team into one of the most dynamic offensive prep squads in the nation. From there, he moved to Springdale High School from 2001 – 2005 where he led his team to two state championship games and 1 title. His 2005 squad had All Americans Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams who both went to Arkansas.

In 2005, Malzahn was named the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, where his offense led the Razorbacks to an SEC West Division Championship. In 2007, his friend Todd Graham became the head coach of Tulsa, and Malzahn joined him as Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.

In 2007, Malzahn emerged as one of the premier offensive coordinators in the country, as Tulsa ranked #1 in the nation in total offense (ahead of Texas Tech and Hawaii). Under his leadership, Tulsa became the first team in NCAA history to have a 5000 yard passer, a 1000 yard rusher, and three 1000 yard receivers in one season on one team. This past year, his Tulsa team ranked #2 in the nation in total offense with an average of 565 yards per game.

Coach Malzahn is also an author. This may remind you of Tony Franklin, but unlike Franklin, Malzahn’s version of the spread is more balanced, with the quarterback under center instead of in the shotgun. He wrote a book entitled “Hurry Up No Huddle—An Offensive Philosophy”. He is the author and inventor of the “Wildcat Formation” which is really a version of the old single wing.

Will his version of the spread work at Auburn? I don’t know…but I sure hope so.

From the desk of my bully pulpit, I say, “Good hire, Coach Chiz. Let’s get some players to go with it.”

War Eagle

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