Gus Malzahn responds to question about his status for next season

Gus Malzahn’s future has been bandied about for much of the season, including when talk began early about his $32 million buyout.

The talk began in earnest after Auburn’s loss to Tennessee, a team that had not won an SEC game since 2016. Keep in mind, he’s less than a year removed from signing a seven-year, $49 million contract.

But Malzahn was asked about his coaching future after a 52-21 loss to Alabama, including 2019.

Much of the issue is around the Auburn offense, which was 10th in the SEC in rushing entering the Iron Bowl, and mustered 130 rushing yards against Alabama. But in this game, it was dropped passes and QB Jarrett Stidham being under pressure too often that proved to be the difference.

Staff changes have also been rumored, or expected, for weeks, and Malzahn said it was too early to discuss that after the game.

Malzhan: "I'm confident I'll be the head coach."

— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) November 25, 2018

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on potential staff changes: "We're all disappointed after a game like this. I'm not ready comment on anything like that."

— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) November 25, 2018

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.