Gus Malzahn fired (and (laughable) coaching search...)

[Tide Rev]

Subject:[EXTERNAL] [Fblocal] Auburn announces football coaching change

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AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Athletics Communications
392 S. Donahue Dr. | Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 444-9800 | AuburnTigers.com

Twitter: @AUAthletics / Facebook: AuburnAthletics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2020
For more information, Kirk Sampson, (334) 844-9800

Auburn announces football coaching change

AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced Sunday a leadership change for Auburn football as Gus Malzahn will no longer direct the program. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will serve as interim head coach.

In eight years, Malzahn compiled a 68-35 record including a 39-27 mark in Southeastern Conference play. He led the program to an SEC Championship and BCS National Championship appearance in his first season and an SEC West title in 2017.

Greene recommended a change in the football team’s leadership to Auburn President Jay Gogue after a “thorough analysis” of the program. Gogue accepted Greene’s recommendation.

Malzahn will be paid the remainder of his contract. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately.

 

[Ledsteplin]

And just like that, the Gus bus finally went off the cliff. He should get a tidy severance package, even if it's only the remainder of his contract.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Here comes Freeze

 

[BamaNation]

Auburn fires coach Gus Malzahn after 68-35 record in eight seasons leading Tigers

Malzahn signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with Auburn just two seasons ago

www.cbssports.com

 

[Padreruf]

Auburn must have money stashed all over the place...there's no way to justify this move...

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Had to go take a peek at some Barn boards. Their reasonable HC choices right now are:

1) Mario Cristobal
2) Hugh Freeze
3) Billy Napier
4) Luke Fickell

Their deranged HC choices are:

1) Urban Meyer
2) Bob Stoops

 

[DogPatch]

I don't see Fickell coming to the SEC.

 

[Leeroy]

Unexpected imo. They have their guy already, also imo.

I’m thinking Freeze also.

 

[TrueCrimson7]

I hope they avoid Freeze. Malzahn and his style of play were annoying for many reasons, but no one makes my skin crawl like Hugh Freeze.

 

[melvinm]

To fire anyone this year in CFB, just doesn't make a lot a sense.

 

[bamagradinATL]

Auburn must have money stashed all over the place...there's no way to justify this move...

Lumber markets are up. Yellafella is getting richer.

 

[BigPoppa52]

Dont forget Kevin Sumlin. I hear he's available le.

I understand Auburn will owe Gus $11 mil within 30 days and another 4 spread out over 2 years. Something like that. Guess Jimmy Rane had a good year.

 

[crimsonaudio]

 

[Padreruf]

I don't see Cristobal coming to AU...he's got a sweet deal @ OU. I could see Napier...but going head to head with CNS in Alabama and in the SEC as a whole is not a great gig right now.

 

[The Ols]

I don’t think that I would leave Eugene if I were Cristobal.
Especially if I had ever even once heard my name mentioned as a possibility down the road in Tuscaloosa.

 

[UntouchableCrew]

Unexpected imo. They have their guy already, also imo.

I’m thinking Freeze also.

This was my reaction. Didn't see it coming and I don't think they make the move unless they've got someone lined up -- and I also think it's Freeze.

 

[Cruiser]

Lumber markets are up. Yellafella is getting richer.

And I was waiting for pressure treated to go down for a new deck project. Guess I can forget that

 

[Cruiser]

I don't see Cristobal coming to AU...he's got a sweet deal @ OU. I could see Napier...but going head to head with CNS in Alabama and in the SEC as a whole is not a great gig right now.

I was suprised Cristobal only makes $2.7 Mil; 57th in the country, considering the Nike money. Auburn would easily double that; or get Mario a BIG raise

 

[CrimsonPaul]

Seems like the Barn loves ex-Ole Miss coaches.

Here comes Freeze

 

[bamamc1]

With them announcing “Firing” him it leads me to believe there was nothing amicable about it. They owe him 1/2 of 21 million in 30 days. This will set this program back financially for years. Yes the boosters will pay this, but in a year where there will be major financial losses, this may be hard to overcome.

CNS has processed Tubberville, Chizik, Jay Jacobs, and the Offensive “Genius” Gus. Isn’t signing day next week?