Paul Finebaum reflects on Gus Malzahn’s legacy at Auburn
By Keith Farner
Published:
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.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
