One of Alabama football’s biggest rivals is retiring from college football

Nov 25, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn greets Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Gus Malzahn is retiring from college football, according to multiple reports.

Malzahn served as the offensive coordinator at Florida State last season, leading the Seminoles to a statement 31-17 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the season opener. His most notable coaching role was at Auburn, and Malzahn coached the Tigers to the National Championship game in 2013-2014 season, the final championship game of the BCS era.

The “Gus Bus” has run over Alabama a few times in the last decade and a half, and the most notable win of the Malzahn era of Auburn football came in the 2013 Iron Bowl when the Tigers won off the “Kick Six”. 

Malzahn was also on the 2010 Auburn coaching staff as the offensive coordinator. This was the year the Tigers, led by quarterback Cam Newton, beat Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Perhaps no coach had Alabama’s number more in the Saban era than Malzahn, but he also showed he is capable of beating Alabama even in the Kalen DeBoer era.

In 2026, Alabama is set to host Florida State in Week 3, but it will be different now that Malzahn has retired. The Crimson Tide will likely be in the same boat they were last season, game planning for a new quarterback and new offensive coordinator, but Alabama will have more time to prepare for Florida State and have some film to go off of this time.