Gus Malzahn to be named Auburn head coach

AUBURN — Arkansas State coach and former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will be Auburn’s next head football coach, an Auburn athletic spokesman confirmed. Auburn sports information director Kirk Sampson confirmed what was initially reported by James Bryant of AStateNation.com, Malzahn is leaving Arkansas State after one season to come back to Auburn, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2009-11.

Malzahn will be Auburn’s 26th head football coach following the firing of Gene Chizik on Nov. 25.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to become the head football coach at Auburn University. It’s an outstanding institution with a storied football program that I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand for three years,” Malzahn said in a statement released by the university. “I deeply appreciate the confidence that Dr. Gogue, Jay Jacobs and the search committee had in my ability to turn this program around and to bring Auburn back to national prominence. This is a homecoming for me and I look forward to being reunited with the Auburn family.”

Known for his spread, no-huddle offense, Malzahn had great success at Arkansas State this season, leading the Red Wolves to a 9-3 season, the Sun Belt conference championship and a berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Arkansas State ranks 17th in the nation in total offense (481.8 yards) and tied for 21st in scoring (36.4).

Auburn went 14-0, won the 2010 BCS National Championship – the first national title in 53 years for the program – and quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman in 2010 with Malzahn running the offense under Chizik.

Under Malzahn, Auburn was ranked 16th in the nation in total offense in 2009, 7th in 2010 and dropped down to 100th in a down year in 2011. Despite the enormous drop from 2010 to 2011, the Tigers still managed 182.3 rushing yards per game – nearly 34 yards more than this season.

Auburn averaged an SEC-worst 305 yards per game and finished 115th in total offense, 113th in scoring (18.67), 112th in passing (156.6 yards) and 78th in rushing (148.4 yards) this season under first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.

Earlier Tuesday, Auburn University president Jay Gogue told multiple Montgomery television stations Tuesday morning the school’s next football coach will be announced within the next 24 hours. During a speaking engagement at the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, Gogue told WAKA and WSFA that Auburn will announce who will be the program’s 26th head football coach.

Auburn reportedly interviewed Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart on Monday and spoke with Malzahn on Sunday.

Check back for updates throughout the day.