Paul Finebaum: Like it or not, Auburn fans stuck with Gus Malzahn
By Keith Farner
Published:
Auburn’s second loss this season has sparked some restlessness among Tiger fans looking to turn a new page away from coach Gus Malzahn.
Taking the longer view, some have pointed out Auburn’s 4-4 record since Malzahn signed a new seven-year $49 million contract after the pair of upset wins at the end of last season and reported flirtation with the Arkansas job.
In his regular weekly appearance on WJOX, SEC Network host Paul Finebaum said the buyout is the large impediment for Malzahn critics.
“When the president of a university gives a coach a seven-year deal at that price, he’s very likely not going anywhere,” Finebaum said. “That will not make him anymore popular. In fact, what I’m hearing from most Auburn people is that he’s certainly unpopular at the moment, but that’s the deal that you make and whether fans like it or not, they’re stuck with Gus Malzahn.”
According to the USA TODAY database, Malzahn has the nation’s fifth-highest buyout, which before Dec. 1, would owe him $32,143,750.
Finebaum went on to say that if that deal is never made last year, going 8-4 this year would get Malzahn fired.
“Yes, I do.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
