Gus Malzahn began his career at Auburn by taking them to the National Championship game. The next four years Auburn’s best finish was 12th. 2018 will likely leave Auburn outside of the top twenty-five. His record has been mediocre at best after that first season. Why then is Gus Malzahn still the head coach of the Auburn Tigers?
The fact that Malzahn is still in Auburn comes down to two words: Georgia and Alabama. In his first games at Auburn, Gus Malzahn was able to stand on the sidelines for two of the biggest college upsets in NCAA history. Words are not adequate to describe the Auburn Miracles of 2013. I know some Georgia and Alabama fans will not watch these videos, but they are truly must-see plays.
The Miracles
Georgia
The Kick Six
Riding the TIde (win) Forward
In Auburn rivalries and SEC wins carry great weight. Malzahn made it through the next few seasons riding these two wins and the success of that season. Then 2017 came and things were rocky. It was an up and down season. Then came the Georgia game. There wasn’t a miracle last second pass. It was a beating. Auburn wore Georgia down and beat them with hard work and great play.
Things looked better for Malzahn. One hurdle was down, but Alabama and Iron Bowl lay ahead of the Tigers. The Iron Bowl brought another victory and it was off to the SEC Championship against Georgia. Georgia was ready for the Tigers this time and ready for revenge. Despite the loss Gus Malzahn signed a seven-year extension with Auburn. The wins over Georgia and Alabama extended his time again.
What Next
Going into the Iron Bowl in 2018 Auburn is 7-4. Malzahn’s success does not seem to repeat itself. We are at the point where the Auburn Athletic Department must decide what is costlier for Auburn. Is it six more years of mediocre play and the occasional rivalry win or the cost of Malzahn’s buyout? If the decision were mine an Iron Bowl loss would have me writing a check.