Gus Malzahn, Veteran Coach, Announces Retirement After 35 Years

Malzahn, who spent last season as Florida State's offensive coordinator, is stepping away from coaching to focus on family.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:15pm

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Gus Malzahn, a veteran college football coach with over 35 years of experience, has announced his retirement. Malzahn, 60, spent the 2025 season as the offensive coordinator at Florida State University after previously serving as the head coach at Auburn University for eight seasons. In his retirement announcement, Malzahn cited a desire to spend more time with his family and focus on the next chapter of his life.

Why it matters

Malzahn's retirement marks the end of an era for a highly respected and successful coach who made a significant impact at both the high school and college levels over the course of his long career. His departure from Florida State's coaching staff will require the program to transition to new offensive leadership as they look to build on the offensive improvements made under Malzahn's coordination.

The details

Malzahn began his coaching career at the high school level in Arkansas in the early 1990s, where he found consistent success over more than a decade. He then moved into the college ranks in 2006 as Arkansas' offensive coordinator before holding similar roles at Tulsa and Auburn. Malzahn's first college head coaching opportunity came in 2012 at Arkansas State, where he led the program to a 9-3 record in a single season. That success earned him a return to Auburn as head coach, where he made an immediate impact in 2013 by guiding the Tigers to a 12-2 season and an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game. However, postseason success proved elusive during the remainder of his eight-year tenure at Auburn. After being dismissed by Auburn during the 2020 season, Malzahn spent four years leading Central Florida before resigning in 2024 to join Florida State's staff as offensive coordinator. In his lone season in Tallahassee, Malzahn oversaw a dramatic offensive turnaround, helping the Seminoles improve from one of the lowest-scoring teams in the country to ranking 22nd nationally in points per game.

  • Malzahn began his coaching career at the high school level in Arkansas in the early 1990s.
  • Malzahn joined the college ranks in 2006 as Arkansas' offensive coordinator.
  • Malzahn's first college head coaching opportunity came in 2012 at Arkansas State.
  • Malzahn was hired as the head coach at Auburn in 2013.
  • Malzahn was dismissed by Auburn during the 2020 season.

The players

Gus Malzahn

A veteran college football coach with over 35 years of experience, who most recently served as the offensive coordinator at Florida State University.

Mike Norvell

The head coach of the Florida State University football team, who promoted Tim Harris Jr. to take over the offense following Malzahn's retirement.

Tim Harris Jr.

The co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Florida State University, who was promoted to take over the offense following Malzahn's retirement.

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What they’re saying

“After 35 years, it's time for me to step away from coaching I am excited to spend more time with my family and focus on the next chapter of my life. I want to thank coach Norvell for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a prestigious program.”

— Gus Malzahn

“I want to thank coach Malzahn for his effort and dedication to our program over the last 14 months. He did a wonderful job coordinating our offense and calling plays in 2025, and he has set a strong foundation for us to continue building on in 2026 behind the coordination of Tim Harris and the multiple other assistant coaches who are returning. Coach Harris has a complete understanding of the offensive scheme, and his ability to effectively share that knowledge with his players will continue to be a benefit for our offense.”

— Mike Norvell, Florida State Head Coach

The takeaway

Gus Malzahn's retirement after a storied 35-year coaching career marks the end of an era for a highly respected and successful coach who made a significant impact at both the high school and college levels. His departure from Florida State's coaching staff will require the program to transition to new offensive leadership as they look to build on the offensive improvements made under Malzahn's coordination.