Montgomery reporter praises Gus Malzahn for work in the transfer portal

Gus Malzahn has truly had a turnaround for the ages since becoming the head coach at UCF. The Knights got their act together as Auburn football lost control of theirs in 2021, although both he and Bryan Harsin have had a good transfer portal run so far in 2022.

The obvious difference between the offseasons each coach has had, outside of varied reactions based on last season’s results, is the inquiry that the Auburn Board of Trustees thrust upon Harsin this past February. That’s water under the bridge now, though, with results being all that matters–and all that can stop the Harsin era dead in its tracks–at this point in the game.

Recently, the current and former Tigers head coaches battled on the recruitment trail for Javon Baker. Baker had key drops in the National Championship game for Alabama against Georgia and hit the transfer portal in search of a new system to thrive in. After considering both Auburn and UCF, the Fairburn, Georgia product decided to call Central Florida his new home.

That move got ‘Today in Alabama’ sports reporter Judd Davis’ attention. Davis lauded the move and said that UCF would be a fun team to watch in 2022:

Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin have different expectations in 2022

Most SEC pundits have written off Auburn in 2022, not believing another year on the Plains for Bryan Harsin would cause any difference in the win column. A step back is commonly projected for the Tigers despite a reinvigorated energy and culture in the locker-room.

On the other end of the spectrum, UCF carries a contender in the American into its last Group of Five season in program history before embarking on a run in the Big 12 starting in 2023.

There’s differing expectations, but a universal goal remains for both programs: the College Football Playoff. Cincinnati opened the door for the Knights to break through, and a winning streak in conference play in the SEC is the keys to the CFP kingdom.

September can’t come soon enough.