Former Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn's supposed retirement from College Football coaching was reduced to merely a cost-saving move for the Florida State Seminoles ahead of a lame-duck season.
That's the sentiment CBS Sports' Bud Elliot shared, saying, "FSU OC Gus Malzahn is retiring, per release from FSU. Good cost-savings move in a year in which the school's moves mean it is effectively punting the season."
Elliott's framing makes Malzahn's presence seem like a positive, and the absence of it in Tallahassee was essentially deemed tanking means. Mike Norvell doesn't have much time left with FSU if he can't turn it around, and removing Malzahn removes an excuse for the head coach if the offense doesn't return to form.
Still, it feels like an improper way for Malzahn's legendary career to end. With the sport seeing him replaced at UCF with former Knights head coach Scott Frost, and Rich Rodriguez returning to the West Virginia Mountaineers, maybe a reunion for Malzahn at his greatest landing spot could be appropriate.
Gus Malzahn should work for Auburn's recruiting staff
Malzahn has use left in College Football. If the sport feels his simplistic play-calls have been passed by, his recruiting chops most certainly still have function. Not only can Malzahn more effectively sell Auburn to recruits, but he has plenty of former players who still love him and the Plains who can help in those efforts. And even more effectively sell AU than Malzahn.
It'd be asking a lot of Alex Golesh to allow a former head coach to have such a big presence on his staff, but their personalities appear like perfect matches to make it work. Malzahn already has property on Lake Martin, so he's never too far away.
Good vibes are needed in the Loveliest Village after what the last five years brought. If Malzahn would be welcomed back at all by the current staff and administration in place, it'd be a boon for a fanbase that now realizes how good they had it with Gus.