Gus Malzahn’s legacy at Auburn is firmly cemented. He helped guide the Tigers through some of their best eras, serving as offensive coordinator during the 2010 national championship run and later, in his debut season as head coach in 2013, leading Nick Marshall and the Tigers to an SEC championship and a near-miss in the national title game.
Though now retired, Malzahn has returned to the Plains, splitting his time between Auburn and Lake Martin. His retirement hasn’t kept him away from the program, however. On Tuesday, he showed up at the Tigers’ scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, and new head coach Alex Golesh welcomed the visit.
Malzahn’s appearance meant a lot to Golesh.
“That was his first spring practice,” Golesh said. “I’ve been trying to get him here. He’s moving back and will be an incredible resource for me. I’m really grateful to him and Kristi for the support they’ve given me and Lex. Having someone with his experience, who loves Auburn as much as he does, is invaluable.”
Golesh would love to replicate Malzahn’s success. Auburn hasn’t had a winning season since Malzahn’s final year in 2020, and his tenure included iconic moments like the Miracle at Jordan-Hare and the Kick Six, along with back-to-back wins over No. 1 Georgia and No. 1 Alabama in a three-week span.
Interestingly, the two coaches first met as rivals in the Sunshine State.
“I first got to know him when he was at UCF and I was at USF,” Golesh said. “We crossed paths in recruiting and clinics, but with USF and UCF you’re supposed to dislike each other, so we never talked publicly. But I always respected him.”
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