Gus Malzahn
FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, then-Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is shown before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, , in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, file photo. Sarkisian is the new head football coach at the University of Texas. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Sarkisian's road from rehab to Texas

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 17, 2021 02:48 PM EST

New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel, left, shakes hands with University of Tennessee athletics director Danny White after being presented a jersey speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
New Tennessee football coach Heupel brings 3 UCF assistants

Feb. 15, 2021 04:49 PM EST

FILE - Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Auburn, Ala., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Central Florida hired Gus Malzahn as its football coach Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, a little more than two months after he was fired by Auburn.(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
UCF hires former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn to lead Knights

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 15, 2021 10:32 AM EST

Northwestern running back Cam Porter (20) tries to get around Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, left, during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Ramsey leads No. 15 Northwestern past Auburn in Citrus Bowl

By John Denton Jan. 01, 2021 05:04 PM EST

FILE - In this photo provided by Auburn Athletics, Bryan Harsin, Auburn's new college football coach, talks during a news conference in Auburn, Ala., in this Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, photo. It’s been a whirlwind three weeks for Auburn's football team, given longtime coach Gus Malzahn getting fired on Dec. 13, new coach Bryan Harsin being introduced 11 days later, several players opting out of the Citrus Bowl and the Tigers hurriedly trying to prepare for a showdown against a stout Northwestern defense. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics via AP)
No. 15 Northwestern aims to rebound vs Auburn in Citrus Bowl

Dec. 31, 2020 01:04 PM EST

FILE - In this photo provided by Auburn Athletics, Bryan Harsin, Auburn's new college football coach, talks during a news conference in Auburn, Ala., in this Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, photo. It’s been a whirlwind three weeks for Auburn's football team, given longtime coach Gus Malzahn getting fired on Dec. 13, new coach Bryan Harsin being introduced 11 days later, several players opting out of the Citrus Bowl and the Tigers hurriedly trying to prepare for a showdown against a stout Northwestern defense. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics via AP)
Auburn ignoring upheaval, hoping to beat No. 15 Northwestern

By John Denton Dec. 31, 2020 01:03 PM EST

In this photo provided by Auburn Athletics, Bryan Harsin, Auburn's new college football coach, talks to fans after his arrival at an airport Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics via AP)
New Auburn coach Bryan Harsin embraces challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 24, 2020 06:48 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 file photo, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin watches his players warm up for the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Washington at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. No. 25 San Jose State will face perennial conference powerhouse Boise State in the Mountain West championship on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in Las Vegas. The game is usually played on the higher seed’s home field but this year it will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus, File)
Auburn hires Boise State's Harsin to lead football program

By John Zenor Dec. 22, 2020 06:28 PM EST

FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
No. 15 Northwestern, Auburn set to meet in Citrus Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 06:31 PM EST

FILE - Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his team react at the end of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Michigan State in Arlington, Texas, in this Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, file photo. Alabama won 38-0 to advance to the championship game. Saban's dominating run at Alabama is more than just wins and championships. He's also ruined the careers of many of his fellow SEC coaches and cost the league's other 13 schools more than $100 million in buyouts -- all in search of someone who can knock the game's greatest coach from his perch.(AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Column: Alabama's Nick Saban is Coach Killer of the SEC

By Paul Newberry Dec. 18, 2020 02:47 PM EST

Then Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn wishes players good luck during warmups prior to an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. Auburn athletic director Allen Greene announced the coach's firing on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, a day after the Tigers finished the regular season with a 24-10 victory over Mississippi State. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn hires search firm for coach, forms advisory group

Dec. 15, 2020 02:50 PM EST

Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) misses a reception under coverage from Appalachian State defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles (8) during an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Andrew Dye/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, Pool)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Sun Belt continues breakout season

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn listens to an official's call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. Auburn won 24-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn fires football coach Gus Malzahn after 8 seasons

By John Zenor Dec. 13, 2020 02:44 PM EST

Auburn has fired football coach Gus Malzahn after eight seasons.

Dec. 13, 2020 02:39 PM EST
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has fired football coach Gus Malzahn after eight seasons. ...

Nix leads Auburn over Mississippi State 24-10

By R.j. Morgan Dec. 12, 2020 11:30 PM EST
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Bo Nix threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead Auburn to a 24-10 victory over Mississippi State in its final regular...

Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (1) runs with a reception past Mississippi State defenders for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn at Mississippi State 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 08:49 PM EST

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) passes while Kameron Jones (58) blocks a Mississippi player during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn closes rough regular season at Mississippi State

By John Zenor Dec. 10, 2020 09:13 AM EST

Texas A&M running back Ainias Smith (0) catches a pass over Auburn defensive back Christian Tutt (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mond, No. 5 Texas A&M finish strong in 31-20 win over Auburn

By John Zenor Dec. 05, 2020 03:21 PM EST

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Texas A&M at Auburn 12/5/2020

Dec. 05, 2020 11:35 AM EST

Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) hands the ball off to running back Isaiah Spiller (28) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
No. 5 Aggies visit Auburn hoping to keep playoff hopes alive

By John Zenor Dec. 03, 2020 01:23 PM EST