Former Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn joined the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, alongside former Fresno State Bulldogs and Cal Golden Bears head coach and ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford and University of Louisiana at Lafayette AD Bryan Maggard, on Monday.
CFP executive director Rich Clark was highly complimentary of the group and put Malzahn in elite company. The former Air Force Lieutenant General, a veteran of 38 years, used incredible words to describe the Auburn man, who was seen courtside at the Neville Arena in early March.
"The additions of Bryan Maggard, Gus Malzahn and Jeff Tedford will introduce strong, fresh perspectives to the selection committee as we enter our 13th season. Each brings a deep understanding of the game, a genuine passion for college football and a commitment to integrity and excellence. Their diverse backgrounds as university leaders, recent coaches and former student-athletes will complement our returning members and allow for a seamless transition," Clark said.
The CFP's dastardly tricks may persist, since University of Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek is still the committee chair. Malzahn being present in this position of power can only be a good thing for Auburn, though.
Gus Malzahn's presence on the Plains is well-timed
You have to love Gus retiring from the Florida State Seminoles in February after picking up a 31-17 Week 1 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide last season. Followed up by that appearance at an Auburn basketball game, for which the son of his good friend Bruce Pearl is now in charge, and you have a great stretch for Malzahn since last August.
Add in this good PR for a former AU head football coach, which has been hard to come by since he left, and Malzahn is on the ultimate orange and blue heater.
It couldn't have happened to a more graceful example of the Auburn Creed. And hopefully, it coincides with the Tigers actually being in CFP conversations by season's end under Alex Golesh and Co.