Gus Malzahn to resign from UCF, take OC position at prominent ACC program, per report

Gus Malzahn is making a major career move, according to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel.

Thamel broke the news Saturday afternoon that Malzahn is resigning from his post as UCF’s head coach to take the offensive coordinator position at Florida State. There have been questions about Malzahn’s future after UCF lost 28-14 to Utah on Friday, falling to 4-8 on the season.

Sources: UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is resigning to become the new offensive coordinator at Florida State, sources told ESPN. His UCF tenure will end after four years at 28-24. pic.twitter.com/XHlEFY91T2

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 30, 2024

Thamel added that Malzahn will be FSU’s primary play-caller. Mike Norvell, a former Arizona State offensive coordinator, has been his own play-caller as a head coach. Norvell dismissed Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, also the team’s offensive line coach, after the Seminoles lost 52-3 to Notre Dame, falling to 1-9. The Seminoles are 2-9 on the season and close out 2024 against arch-rival Florida.

Malzahn will be FSU’s primary play caller, a role held by Mike Norvell. So this marks a distinct shift for Norvell, who has shaken up his staff in the wake of a 2-9 season that concludes tonight against Florida.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 30, 2024

Malzahn, 59, was last a coordinator from 2009-11, his first stint at Auburn. He won the Broyles Award for top assistant coach in 2010, the season Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy en route to Auburn’s national championship.

Malzahn landed his first college head coaching in 2012 at Arkansas State before returning to Auburn as the head coach from 2013-20 and then taking the UCF job after his AU dismissal. His record as a college head coach is 105-62.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.