Gus Malzahn is retiring, he announced on Monday morning. The former Auburn head coach who spent last season as Florida State's offensive coordinator was a perennial thorn in the side of the Crimson Tide throughout his coaching career.
Malzahn led Auburn to three wins over Nick Saban's Alabama during the peak of his dynastic powers in Tuscaloosa. His overall record against Saban gets made to be more than it actually is - he was only 3-5 in eight Iron Bowls, but that record is better than most did against the Crimson Tide during that span, and all three wins were memorable.
The 2013 kick-six needs little further discussion. The most improbable play in college football history ended Alabama's quest for three consecutive National Championships.
The 2017 Auburn win also ended the Tide's perfect season, though Alabama still got into the College Football Playoff and ultimately won the national title.
The 2019 loss ended Alabama's quest for a playoff berth.
And in one final act of defiance, Malzahn beat Alabama last season as the Florida State offensive coordinator in a stunning upset.
Alabama was a massive favorite in Tallahassee for the season-opener against a Seminoles team that went just 2-10 the season before. Kane Wommack's defense struggled against Malzahn's tricky offense, and Florida State sprung a 31-17 shocker at Doak Campbell.
Gus Malzahn was always a thorn in Alabama's side
Unfortunately for Kalen DeBoer, he won't have the opportunity for a get-back against Malzahn in 2026.
Florida State will make the return trip to Tuscaloosa in September for the second leg of the home-and-home series. Alabama will still have revenge on its mind against the Seminoles, but it'll be less sweet without Malzahn calling the plays.
As much of a pain in the butt as Malzahn always was for Nick Saban and Alabama as a whole, he never could beat the Crimson Tide twice in a row. He probably saw the writing on the wall and wisely ended his career on a season he orchestrated something that meant more to him than anything else: beating Alabama.