JUST Now: Former Auburn coach Gene Chizik defends Gus Malzahn: He’s ‘fighting an uphill battle’.see more details.
🏈 Chizik Steps Up for Malzahn — “Fighting an uphill battle”
Gene Chizik, Auburn’s National Championship coach from 2009–2012, spoke out on ESPN Radio last week in defence of Gus Malzahn, saying Malzahn “was fighting an uphill battle” amid intense scrutiny and expectation at Auburn .
Chizik highlighted that part of the struggle stems from Auburn’s fans and boosters having extraneous expectations, frequently comparing the program to the success across the state in Tuscaloosa against rival Alabama .
Alongside Tommy Tuberville (1999–2008 coach), Chizik emphasizes that Auburn’s program comes with unique pressure—outsiders frequently interfere with opinions and decisions—making it a particularly tough environment for any coach to succeed consistently .
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🧭 Perspective from Coaching Peers
Tuberville reinforced Chizik’s point: “[Gus] has been there six years now and done an admirable job. … Everybody wants consistency. Unfortunately at Auburn, you have a lot of people who stick their nose in who know nothing about football” .
Their collective viewpoint: Malzahn’s initial achievements—including an SEC title and a national championship appearance—were strong, but sustaining success in Auburn’s volatile coaching climate is incredibly difficult.
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📊 A Legacy Defined by Context
Chizik’s record: Took over a struggling Auburn team, achieved a 14–0 season and won the 2010 BCS National Title, only to be ousted two years later after dismissing Malzahn .
Malzahn’s time: Promoted to head coach in 2013, he earned the AP Coach of the Year award, won an SEC Championship, appeared in the 2014 National Championship Game (losing to Florida State), and accumulated a 68–35 record over eight seasons—before being fired in December 2020 with a record $21 million buyout .
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🧩 Why It’s an Uphill Battle
1. Foundational Expectations
Auburn’s fanbase, fueled by historic success and constant rivalry with Alabama, demands immediate and continuous excellence. Malzahn’s early success raised the bar—but lavish expectations make sustaining this success nearly impossible.
2. High-Frequency Comparisons
Chizik and Tuberville note that expectations in Auburn are often driven more by perception and media narratives than by the actual complexities on the ground .
3. Inconsistent Support
Unlike other programs with patience, Auburn shifts quickly—coaches who win national titles, like Chizik, can still be dismissed if momentum dips, regardless of overall performance .