After leaving his recent role at Florida State, Gus Malzahn is returning to Auburn, where he once served as head coach. He marked the homecoming by posting a photo with his wife, Kristi Malzahn, on social media though she didn’t exactly look overjoyed. Her expression, while not a true reflection of her feelings about moving back to Alabama, underscored the emotional toll that often comes with being married to a college football coach.
Malzahn has already been spotted at Auburn’s most recent spring scrimmage. New head coach Alex Golesh intends to rely on him as a valuable resource. With extensive experience at the Division I level, Malzahn spent ten years on the Plains as both a play-caller and head coach. He’s also held key positions at Arkansas, Tulsa, Arkansas State, UCF, and Florida State.
His coaching journey began in 1991 as offensive coordinator at Hughes High School, and he landed his first college job with the Razorbacks fifteen years later. Over the course of his sideline career, Malzahn has coached in five conference championship games and two national title contests, and he was widely regarded as one of the SEC’s top offensive minds.
“Super grateful for him, and Kristi and the support that they’ve shown myself and my wife, which has been awesome,” Golesh said. “Super grateful to have a wealth of knowledge here, and a guy that cares about Auburn so dearly.”
Golesh first got to know Malzahn as a rival during their respective tenures at South Florida and UCF. Now, they’ll be working together. While Malzahn’s return to Auburn is a welcome development, it also highlights the often-nomadic lifestyle that accompanies a career in coaching.
