There are strong indications Arkansas trustees have targeted Gus Malzahn. The ‘Gus Bus’ may be ready for the road whatever happens against Alabama football in the Iron Bowl.
Not that the Iron Bowl ever needs more drama, but there is a subplot that could serve Alabama football well. There is more than a small possibility that Gus Malzahn will sprint to the ‘Gus Bus’ after a loss and head directly to Fayetteville, Arkansas.
It is not entirely implausible that Gus will be chatting with his agent Jimmy Sexton even if the Tigers win the Iron Bowl. I am not suggesting Malzahn would walk away from his team before an SEC Championship game and potential CFB Playoff slot. But those are out-front events and what transpires behind the scenes is often altogether different.
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Strange deals are often discussed in the hiring and firing of big-time college football coaches. Mal Moore’s pursuit, rejection (of Rich Rodriquez and by Saban), continued pursuit and eventual conquest of Nick Saban is well known by Alabama football fans. That saga was strange indeed.
The current scheming engaged by Auburn University and the University of Arkansas trustees is curious, bordering on the bizarre. What follows is an exercise to explore what has happened, what we think is happening and the possible outcomes. One of those possible outcomes is a distracted Gus Malzahn negatively impacting his staff and team during preparation for the Iron Bowl.
What we know has happened
- Arkansas fired Athletic Director Jeff Long who brought in current Hogs head man, Bret Bielema.
- Despite a big buyout, some Arkansas trustees and influential boosters want Bielema out. Source: Bruce Feldman.
- Gus Malzahn is a legend in Arkansas, based on an exceptional high school coaching career at Shiloh Christian and Springdale high schools.
- Malzahn had the support of some Arkansas boosters going back to Gus’ short stint as Houston Nutt’s offensive coordinator.
- Gus was very successful in his one season as head coach of Arkansas State.
- Auburn fired (or forced the resignation) of Athletic Director Jay Jacobs.
What we think has and is happening
- Long was fired because he continued to support Bielema.
- Jay Jacobs at the behest of Pat Dye irked Malzahn by demanding Gus hire certain assistants.
- Even with Jacobs on the way out, Malzahn is tired of meddling by Dye.
- Gus will accept an Arkansas offer once his team loses another game this season.
- The Arkansas trustees and Malzahn cannot do a deal if Auburn advances to the CFB Playoff.
Possible outcomes
- Arkansas and Bielema’s agent agree on a separation deal, giving Bielema time to find a new job and resign. The advantage being Arkansas saves money and Bielema saves face.
- Gus agrees in principle to an Arkansas deal but it must be kept secret until Bielema steps down.
- A leak happens and one or both schools and coaches make panic reactions.
OR
- Gus decides if he loses to Alabama football and Nick Saban for the fourth straight game, Auburn will fire him. In a different panic, Gus agrees to an Arkansas deal before the Iron Bowl.
- A leak happens and the Auburn staff and players are severely distracted before the Iron Bowl.
The situation at both schools could change at any moment. New information could come out that makes the suggested possible outcomes absurd. No one person knows everything that is taking place unless of course, that one person is Jimmy Sexton, Gus Malzahn’s agent.
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Just for the record, we hope Gus gets a new contract extension at Auburn. Wherever he is in the SEC will be good for Alabama football but it is so much fun beating him at Auburn.