Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State

1) The success of Cam Newton in the NFL, coupled with Auburn’s dismal performance this year (remember, this is a team that needed a miracle comeback in the last couple of minutes to beat Utah State AT HOME), may have created a meme in the mind of ADs that Auburn caught lightning in a beer bottle in 2010 with the combination of #2 and a down SEC (let’s tell the truth, the conference has not been at its best this year or last). If the thought on that season is “Cam > Gus” then his value as an instant boost is diminished.

2) There were a lot of opportunities out there this year, jobs that were far more attractive to prospects than what Vanderbilt offered at this time last year. Now there were also more attractive candidates in play this season (Mike Leach being no longer untouchable, apparently), but still – UCLA, which tries to run some of the same offensive principles that Malzahn coaches? Texas A&M, in search of a big splash on arriving in the SEC? Ole Miss, which would love to get the same kind of turnaround the Dores got this year? Hell, even North Carolina and Washington State wouldn’t have that much pressure associated with them. The only thing I can think of is that when interview time came around, there was something VCDW saw that he didn’t like, and it was seen by other ADs as well.

3) For years now, it seems like there’s always something brewing at Auburn. Sure, nothing came of the Cam Newton allegations, but if you’re from the Heart of Dixie, I only have to mention the name “Bobby Lowder” as an explanation. For those whose roots are not in the Yellowhammer State, Auburn has had issues with boosters/trustees that go far beyond matters athletic, to the point where their very accreditation as a university was in jeopardy a few years back. For both coordinators to fly the coop for lower-profile programs (DC Ted Roof to the same job at UCF, Malzahn to Ark State for what is alleged to be at least a 50% pay cut) suggests that someone feels this is a good time to get off the train.

This is going to be interesting, in the Chinese-curse-may-you-live-in-interesting-times kind of way. If Auburn’s next OC is not a spread-option guy, it may prematurely end the QB career of Kiehl Frazier, whose redshirt many Tigers already grumble about burning this year. If Dan Mullen is not tempted away from Mississippi State, and the rest of the SEC West holds serve, Auburn may be fighting Ole Miss and Texas A&M to stay out of the basement next year.

Personally, I think he just failed to sell high. Consider Jake Locker, who was the consensus #1 pick in the draft two years ago, didn’t come out, struggled through his senior season and was lucky to get snagged in the first round by Tennessee. Coming off a national championship featuring 14 wins and a Heisman Trophy for his JUCO-transfer QB, Malzahn’s stock was high enough for people to throw around figures like seven years and $3M in the media. Failing to bite on that lure may prove to be more costly than he realized.

Or maybe he just really enjoys Arkansas. It’s the Natural State, after all. (Cheers to our pals in Razorback country, WOO PIG SOOIE.)

He was a high school coach there for like fifteen years before he left for the college ranks. Maybe he can use that as an excuse. I agree, I think he failed to cash in when he could. Is his thinking at this point any head coaching job is better than no head coaching job next year? Hard fall.