Paul Finebaum reflects on Gus Malzahn's legacy at Auburn
To many people like SEC Network host Paul Finebaum, the Sunday firing of Gus Malzahn was far from a surprise.
During his regular appearances on “The Roundtable” on WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham, Alabama on Mondays during the season in recent years, he has regularly discussed and forecasted Malzahn’s future and job security at Auburn. This week, the conversation was about Malzahn’s legacy.
“At some point, if the program is stuck, regardless of the buyout and regardless of the actual record, it’s useless to continue,” Finebaum said. “He did not have a lot of support, if any, from the fan base, there have been trustees trying to fire him for years, and who were openly critical, well not publicly, but to anyone that would listen to them privately, about the decision three years ago to retain him. In the end, if you’re going to try to have excellence, then move on.”
Finebaum was unsure of the future for QB Bo Nix, who he said did not really progress much since his solid freshman season, and strong debut against Oregon.
“He has spotted some good games since then over two seasons, but not enough to sustain,” Finebaum said.
How will Finebaum remember Malzahn, in terms of legacy?
“I will remember him well,” he said. “I think Gus Malzahn, while he was aloof, and underwhelming at times publicly, monotone, I think he’ll be remembered as a very good winning coach, who nearly had Auburn a national championship, was able to beat Nick Saban when others were not, and never embarrassed the program, which separates him from others who have been in that position over the years.”
True! He’ll probably never be considered a “great” coach in the literal sense of the word, but he’ll land somewhere less demanding than AU and sting together a decade of 8 win seasons and then retire an admired and appreciated “legend” of the program. FYI, I’m not necessarily an Auburn fan.
Gus was a great player’s coach. His team loved him and he never lost the locker room. He ran a clean program and really cared about the players. However, Gus was the first Auburn HC to not tour and visit with the large alumni groups in the spring. He didn’t have disdain for the fans or boosters…he was just so introverted that he never tried to connect. I think a person with a more outgoing personality could have survived his record for a little longer.
He literally could swap places with Kiffin and be a hero in Oxford…and a lot of other places for that matter. But at a program like Auburn that wants to be elite, an average of 8 to 9 wins a year just wont do. Again, he should have taken the Arkansas job years ago.
Last paragraph is pretty much spot on. He had an overall good record in the toughest division in college football, no doubt. But, Malzahn knew what Auburn was expecting, fair expectations or not. He should have taken the Arkansas job when they wanted him. As Austin Powers might say..”but that bus has sailed”.
When you are the 7th highest paid coach in college football, the expectations should be clear.
Auburn’s expectations are to be a championship team each year which no doubt led to the firing of Malzahn but one thing he done was to beat Saban more than any other SEC Coach.