Gus Malzahn: Difference between revisions
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'''Arthur Gustav Malzahn III''' (born [[October 28]], [[1965]] in Irvine, Texas) is the current head | '''Arthur Gustav Malzahn III''' (born [[October 28]], [[1965]] in Irvine, Texas) is the current head coach of the [[Auburn University|Auburn]] [[Auburn Tigers football team|Tigers football team]]. He is respected as an offensive innovator and credited with helping develop the "wildcat" and "hurry up no huddle" offenses. | ||
Malzahn graduated from Fort Smith Christian High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in [[1984]] and was a walk-on receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks under then-head coach Ken Hatfield. After one season he transferred to Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he was a two-year letterman and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in [[1990]]. | |||
Malzahn graduated from Fort Smith Christian High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1984 and was a walk-on receiver | |||
Malzahn got his first coaching job as a defensive coordinator at Hughes High School in [[1991]]. He became head coach in [[1992]] and, two years later, 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. | |||
His success at Hughes and his wide-open attack landed Malzahn a head coaching position at Shiloh Christian in 1996. | His success at Hughes and his wide-open attack landed Malzahn a head coaching position at Shiloh Christian in [[1996]]. Over the next four years, Malzahn transformed Saints into one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation. In 1998, Shiloh Christian quarterback Josh Floyd racked up 5,878 total yards and 66 passing touchdowns. Malzahn guided the Saints to back-to-back state championships in [[1998]] and [[1999]]. | ||
Springdale | In 2001, Malzahn took over for legendary coach Jarrell Williams at Springdale High School. He led the program to two state championship game appearances in his last four years, winning the 5A title with a 54-20 victory over West Memphis in [[2005]]. | ||
=== College | 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. | ||
=== College coaching career === | |||
==== University of Arkansas ==== | ==== University of Arkansas ==== | ||
Malzahn joined Houston Nutt's staff on [[December 9]], [[2005]], as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, 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 Mr. Malzahn to Arkansas and the fact that Mr. 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. | Malzahn joined Houston Nutt's staff on [[December 9]], [[2005]], as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, 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 Mr. Malzahn to Arkansas and the fact that Mr. 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. |
Revision as of 09:32, 5 December 2014
Arthur Gustav Malzahn III (born October 28, 1965 in Irvine, Texas) is the current head coach of the Auburn Tigers football team. He is respected as an offensive innovator and credited with helping develop the "wildcat" and "hurry up no huddle" offenses.
Malzahn graduated from Fort Smith Christian High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1984 and was a walk-on receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks under then-head coach Ken Hatfield. After one season he transferred to Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he was a two-year letterman and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1990.
Malzahn got his first coaching job as a defensive coordinator at Hughes High School in 1991. He became head coach in 1992 and, two years later, 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.
His success at Hughes and his wide-open attack landed Malzahn a head coaching position at Shiloh Christian in 1996. Over the next four years, Malzahn transformed Saints into one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation. In 1998, Shiloh Christian quarterback Josh Floyd racked up 5,878 total yards and 66 passing touchdowns. 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. He led the program to two state championship game appearances in his last four years, winning the 5A title with a 54-20 victory over West Memphis in 2005.
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.
College coaching career
University of Arkansas
Malzahn joined Houston Nutt's staff on December 9, 2005, as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, 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 Mr. Malzahn to Arkansas and the fact that Mr. 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. Malzahn took the Tulsa job to be offensive coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Damian Williams and Mitch Mustain, prize recruits and Malzahn's former players, also left the Razorback program. Shortly afterward, 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. The Golden Hurricane also ranked 3rd in the nation is passing 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.
After the regular season, Malzahn interviewed for the open position at Arkansas once Nutt resigned in November 2007.
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. The Golden Hurricane were ranked 2nd in the nation in scoring behind Oklahoma, scoring over 47 points per game. The offense was also the nation's most balanced attack, ranking 5th in the nation in rushing and 9th in passing. The Tulsa quarterbacks finished 3rd in the nation in passing efficiency, behind only Oklahoma and Texas.
Auburn University
Malzahn was named the offensive coordinator at Auburn University on December 28, 2008. He coached 3 years under head coach Gene Chizik including the 2010 National Championship season when he won the 2010 Frank Broyles Award (given to the nation's top assistant coach).
College head coaching career
Arkansas State University
Malzahn accepted the head coaching position at Arkansas State after the 2011 season. He led the Red Wolves to a Sun Belt Conference championship during his one-year tenure.
Auburn University
On December 4, 2012 Malzahn was announced as Auburn's head coach, replacing Chizik after a 3-9 season.
Offensive Philosophy
Coach 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 of Arkansas. Several NFL teams adopted some of Malzahn's offensive strategies. Malzahn is perhaps best known for his formation, the "Wildcat", which became famous during his year at the Razorbacks, but is actually a variation on the Single Wing, a play that dates to Pop Warner.
Malzahn has been involved as a guest speaker and instructor at numerous coaching clinics around the nation.
Personal
He is married to Kristi Otwell Malzahn and together they have two daughters, Kylie and Kenzie Malzahn.
References
- Gus Malzahn. (2009, December 10). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:05, December 12, 2009 [1]
External links
Preceded by: Tony Franklin |
Auburn Tigers Offensive Coordinator 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by: Scott Loeffler |
Preceded by: Gene Chizik |
Auburn University Head Coach 2013– |
Succeeded by: Current |