(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

Well, I certainly didn't say it was a terrible hire. I don't know how much you followed Auburn football but I can't tell you something my own eyes didn't see. Again, I hope I'm wrong and he turns out great for UCF and for our league.

I am pleased with this hire. Our new AD has been impressive.

It's a good hire, UCF just needs to keep their current offensive identity. They lose that they lose their edge ala ECU with the air raid.

while only a slight upgrade, it's still an upgrade...good hire UCF

It was just time for us to go our separate ways. We have had plenty of ups and downs in our history but not beating Saban wasn't the reason he was fired for those who have stated that Gus beat him 4 times (1 as the OC, and 3 as the HC). That is 100% the furthest from the truth. Also, in regards to the comment about our expectations being unrealistic. If we claimed every title like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, etc.. We would have nine. The University finally claimed six last season and we may eventually claim them all. Our expectations of wanting to beat our rivals and compete for titles is not unrealistic.

Here are some of the reasons.

1. His recruiting was slipping. He never addressed the issues at O-line. You can't compete in the SEC week in and week out with the line he put on the field.

2. His offense had become stagnant and predictable. Teams and opposing coaches had it figured out and he refused to adapt.

3. He got in his own way. One example of many, is a few years ago against Clemson he switched between three QBs for the entire game. White would lead us down the field, then he'd bring in JF III for a play, then he brought in Johnson for 2 plays and the result was a FG or a punt. He went with it the entire game. We lost 19-13 and the only thing that really stopped us offensively was him.

4. He consistently lost to our biggest rivals. (For example, again one of many, when he took over we had a winning record against Georgia. Now we're 56-61-8 with them having won 8 of the last 10).

5. QB's never developed or improved under him. As a matter of fact, every QB we have had has regressed. Especially Nix and Stidham.

6. He couldn't win big bowl games.

I could go on and on but there is no need too. This isn't meant to be a trash Gus post. I was just responding to some of the posts I'd read. It was just time for us to go a different direction and it was time for him to move on. I personally hope he does amazing things at UCF. I think he is great as a person and if he gets his edge back he will become a great head coach again. We love him and his family and honestly wish them nothing but the best. I am extremely happy that he landed on his feet at such a great football program and I hope he leads you all to new heights. Maybe the change of scenery will bring Gus back, and he will have the hunger he used to have. Honestly I expect it. I will certainly be pulling for UCF now and would love to see you all win some AAC titles and win some big bowl games.

Time will tell, but I think this will be a good fit.

On paper, this seems like a very good hire. Congrats to UCF.

Just hope he is not a Will Muschamp... Chump was the worse college coach ever !!!!!!

(02-15-2021 04:25 PM)SMUleopold Wrote:  Honestly, tell him to go get Steele as the DC just like he did at AU and ya'll should be good to go. This is a pretty good hire.

I don't know if you are being facetious or not, but I don't think they want to work together any more. That's why Steele went to TN, to get out from under Gus. At least that is the story around the state....

From the comments on here and what I heard in the press conference...plus tidbits from other areas.

1. Evidently Malzahn was forced to give play calling duties to an OC at Auburn. Sounds kind of strange...but supposedly Auburn has a lot of rich boosters who like to fancy themselves as more important than they really are to football operations. In today's press conference he happily announced that he would be the play caller and would remain the play caller for the rest of his coaching career. He loosely said something along the lines of "that's what got me promoted and that's what I love and I'm good at."

2. A couple of times he specifically mentioned hiring a QB coach. Not sure if he had a QB coach at Auburn or if he handled that himself. But he seems to be aware that this is a concern of some people.

3. I read an article from one of the sports sites where the author spoke to Malzahn sometime after his firing and he admitted he needed to get back to being more of an innovator on offense.

It's an interesting hire, to say the least. But having watched some of his games it seems he has to have a stud QB to make his offense work (ala Cam Newton). As someone mentioned earlier, it appears that QBs end up regressing under him lately. So he ends up running gadget/gimmicky plays to try and catch the defense off guard and it just comes across as being more sneaky than productive. Now, I will admit I have only pretty much seen this tactic against other elite, SEC-level defenses, so maybe they make it look as half-assed as it does.

Good luck! Until you play Memphis....

(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 05:30 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I don't want to poo-poo this hire because I was not a fan of Heupel. I thought UCF could do better. I'm just not sure Gus is that much better. I've watched a lot of Auburn games over the years since my wife is a grad. Other than his first year, he never had double digit wins in a season outside of 2017 [10-4]. Most of the time he finished with 8ish wins. He really had some head scratching performances at times and couldn't win any big bowl games. I didn't think he recruited well at the QB position either. Consider:

2013 12-2 - Lost BCS Chip
2014 8-5 - Lost Outback Bowl
2015 7-6 - Won Birmingham Bowl
2016 8-5 - Lost Sugar Bowl
2017 10-4 - Lost Peach Bowl
2018 8-5 - Won Music City Bowl
2019 9-4 - Lost Outback Bowl
2020 6-4

I realize the SEC is as tough as it gets but I just never saw him more than a meh coach. Not terrible, not spectacular. For UCF's sake [and our league] I hope I'm wrong but I still think UCF can do better than Gus. I'll add, the new AD and Malzahn are familair with each other back to their days at Arky State. I hope this was more than a familiarity hire...

Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

And UCF is not Auburn. While it is true expectations are lower at UCF than at Auburn, UCF fans see AAC titles and NY6 bowls as their rightful due. The problem for UCF and Malzahn is Cincy and Memphis show no signs yet of deterioration.

(02-16-2021 12:15 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 05:30 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I don't want to poo-poo this hire because I was not a fan of Heupel. I thought UCF could do better. I'm just not sure Gus is that much better. I've watched a lot of Auburn games over the years since my wife is a grad. Other than his first year, he never had double digit wins in a season outside of 2017 [10-4]. Most of the time he finished with 8ish wins. He really had some head scratching performances at times and couldn't win any big bowl games. I didn't think he recruited well at the QB position either. Consider:

2013 12-2 - Lost BCS Chip
2014 8-5 - Lost Outback Bowl
2015 7-6 - Won Birmingham Bowl
2016 8-5 - Lost Sugar Bowl
2017 10-4 - Lost Peach Bowl
2018 8-5 - Won Music City Bowl
2019 9-4 - Lost Outback Bowl
2020 6-4

I realize the SEC is as tough as it gets but I just never saw him more than a meh coach. Not terrible, not spectacular. For UCF's sake [and our league] I hope I'm wrong but I still think UCF can do better than Gus. I'll add, the new AD and Malzahn are familair with each other back to their days at Arky State. I hope this was more than a familiarity hire...

Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

And UCF is not Auburn. While it is true expectations are lower at UCF than at Auburn, UCF fans see AAC titles and NY6 bowls as their rightful due. The problem for UCF and Malzahn is Cincy and Memphis show no signs yet of deterioration.

I'll say great hire, this hire makes 5 teams that have separated themselves for the 2021 season, in alphabetical order...

- Cincinnati
- Memphis
- SMU
- Tulsa
- UCF

I can see as many as 9 teams being bowl eligible

Have fun.

One more thing, is there a Waffle House near campus?

2013-2014 - NY6 Fiesta Bowl - George O'Leary

2017-2018 - NY6 Peach Bowl - Scott Frost

2018-2019 - NY6 Fiesta Bowl - Josh Heupel

20??-20?? - NY6 ?????????? - Gus Malzahn


Since UCF joined the AAC, every coach has taken us to the New Year's Six.

Next man up.

(02-16-2021 12:15 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 05:30 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I don't want to poo-poo this hire because I was not a fan of Heupel. I thought UCF could do better. I'm just not sure Gus is that much better. I've watched a lot of Auburn games over the years since my wife is a grad. Other than his first year, he never had double digit wins in a season outside of 2017 [10-4]. Most of the time he finished with 8ish wins. He really had some head scratching performances at times and couldn't win any big bowl games. I didn't think he recruited well at the QB position either. Consider:

2013 12-2 - Lost BCS Chip
2014 8-5 - Lost Outback Bowl
2015 7-6 - Won Birmingham Bowl
2016 8-5 - Lost Sugar Bowl
2017 10-4 - Lost Peach Bowl
2018 8-5 - Won Music City Bowl
2019 9-4 - Lost Outback Bowl
2020 6-4

I realize the SEC is as tough as it gets but I just never saw him more than a meh coach. Not terrible, not spectacular. For UCF's sake [and our league] I hope I'm wrong but I still think UCF can do better than Gus. I'll add, the new AD and Malzahn are familair with each other back to their days at Arky State. I hope this was more than a familiarity hire...

Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

And UCF is not Auburn. While it is true expectations are lower at UCF than at Auburn, UCF fans see AAC titles and NY6 bowls as their rightful due. The problem for UCF and Malzahn is Cincy and Memphis show no signs yet of deterioration.

Brady White back for his 8th year?

(02-16-2021 07:58 AM)The Knight Time Wrote:  

(02-16-2021 12:15 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 05:30 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I don't want to poo-poo this hire because I was not a fan of Heupel. I thought UCF could do better. I'm just not sure Gus is that much better. I've watched a lot of Auburn games over the years since my wife is a grad. Other than his first year, he never had double digit wins in a season outside of 2017 [10-4]. Most of the time he finished with 8ish wins. He really had some head scratching performances at times and couldn't win any big bowl games. I didn't think he recruited well at the QB position either. Consider:

2013 12-2 - Lost BCS Chip
2014 8-5 - Lost Outback Bowl
2015 7-6 - Won Birmingham Bowl
2016 8-5 - Lost Sugar Bowl
2017 10-4 - Lost Peach Bowl
2018 8-5 - Won Music City Bowl
2019 9-4 - Lost Outback Bowl
2020 6-4

I realize the SEC is as tough as it gets but I just never saw him more than a meh coach. Not terrible, not spectacular. For UCF's sake [and our league] I hope I'm wrong but I still think UCF can do better than Gus. I'll add, the new AD and Malzahn are familair with each other back to their days at Arky State. I hope this was more than a familiarity hire...

Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

And UCF is not Auburn. While it is true expectations are lower at UCF than at Auburn, UCF fans see AAC titles and NY6 bowls as their rightful due. The problem for UCF and Malzahn is Cincy and Memphis show no signs yet of deterioration.

Brady White back for his 8th year?

Alas for the Knights, the Tigers through recruiting and transfers have a stable of prospects with legitimate opportunity to continue excellence stretching over a trio of QB's and several years.

(02-15-2021 09:04 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 06:56 PM)Foreverandever Wrote:  Two Outbacks (possibly best bowl outside the NY6) and three NY6 bowls bowl team every year averaged 8+ wins a season in a division with LSU and Alabama running at historic highes and Georgia being pretty damn good every single year of that time. Yeah that screams terrible to me.

This reminds me a lot of how FSU wanted a new guy so Jimbo went to AnM. Sometimes fan bases are irrational. This is not Strong failing to beat up on people while being the biggest kid on the block or Tubberville trying to finish up his retirement fund anywhere other than west Texas. This is a guy who fought it out at the top level with a lot of success just not enough for his fan base.

I think he will excel at UCF where the pressure and support will be high but not absurd. Cincinnati isn't Alabama and Memphis isn't Georgia.

Well, I certainly didn't say it was a terrible hire. I don't know how much you followed Auburn football but I can't tell you something my own eyes didn't see. Again, I hope I'm wrong and he turns out great for UCF and for our league.

Auburn fans I know were not happy with him and his offensive scheme. It never changed according to them. And they felt the SEC had figured him out for the most part. And Malzahn refused to do something different. That was their take on him.

It could end up being a great hire and I hope it is.

But let's not lose sight of the fact that UCF was only able to get Gus Bus because he was just fired from an SEC school.

(02-15-2021 07:04 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 05:11 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 04:45 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 03:47 PM)mlb Wrote:  

(02-15-2021 03:43 PM)ncbeta Wrote:  Amazing hire imo. Put together some damn good teams at Auburn.

So did Tuberville.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

Tubbs tread was gone by the time he got to Cincy.

We experienced the same thing with Charlie Strong. It's a common hazard of being a G5 school.

And we're going through the same thing at Houston with CDH. These type of retread hires don't have a good track record. That said kudos to UCF for landing Gus for under 2.5 million. We're paying almost twice as much to watch Dana drive our program off the ledge.

Drunk Dana has lived a charmed life until Houston where the mask has been ripped off to reveal how ugly he really is. Houston ought to be doing some clandestine shopping were it up to me.