Gus Malzahn’s Contract Extension Means Nothing
If you weren’t surprised when you looked at your phone yesterday and saw that Gus Malzahn was given a contract extension, then you know something most of us don’t. My Bleacher Report app notified me that the contract extension would be through 2020, and at the time I thought that was a big commitment.
Ok, yes. I am guilty of not knowing every SEC coach’s exact contract ending dates. A closer look will tell you that this is only a 1 year extension on a deal that is already ranked as the 13th highest salary of a coach in the NCAA.
Why?
I really don’t know, but what I do know is that Coach Malzahn should be sending Jimmy Sexton a thank you card. I mean, wasn’t there rumors about Auburn growing unhappy with Malzahn last year? What happened last year that made you think Malzahn’s championship runs didn’t have more to do with Cam Newton, and some fortunate plays?
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Malzahn’s first year saw him lead the team to a 12-2 record and a SEC Championship that led an appearance in the National Championship. Since then, Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers have had a 15-11 record.
The most troubling part about the team’s struggles is the offensive struggles. Widely considered an offensive guru, Gus Malzahn’s Auburn teams have been terrible offensively. Many pro-Malzahn fans will quickly point out how terrible the quarterback play has been, but that still has to fall squarely on Malzahn.
If I had to guess what Auburn was thinking when making this offer, I’d guess that they were thinking this is a 2,237,500 dollar gamble. They’re betting that Gus Malzahn is going to turn this offense around with his updated coaching staff. Of course, the gamble comes across as a legitimate “vote of confidence” and maybe it gives Gus a little more clout in regards to the stability of his position at the university. However, I don’t find it to be that much more reassuring that Gus Malzahn’s days in Auburn are not numbered.
Before the extension, I really couldn’t see Malzahn getting terminated next year anyways unless the team had a sub .500 record. Now, after the extension, it may have bought Malzahn one extra year if the team is to go below .500, but I don’t think the extension guarantees his survival if such a bad year comes to fruition. And, do you mean to tell me that if Auburn goes 8-5 in each of the next 2 seasons Gus Malzahn will still be the head coach because of an extra 2.2 million dollars in the buyout clause? Now come on, you don’t believe that, and neither do I.