In his lone season at Florida State, Malzahn’s offense delivered strong numbers despite the team’s 5-7 record. The Seminoles averaged 33 points per game (ranked 22nd nationally among 136 FBS programs) and 472.1 yards per game, with rushing output of 218.7 yards per game described as the best in the program since the mid-1990s.
Although the 2025 season at Florida State drew attention for the offense, Malzahn’s legacy is most closely tied to Auburn, where he went 68-35 over eight seasons. In his first year (2013), he engineered a dramatic turnaround from a 3-9 record to an SEC title and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. His resume includes multiple Coach of the Year honors and a seven-year, $49 million contract signed after the 2017 season, along with a then-record $21.4 million buyout when his Auburn tenure ended.
Against Nick Saban, Malzahn tallied a 3-5 mark, with all three victories coming at Jordan-Hare Stadium (2013, 2017, 2019). While Saban is widely regarded as the greatest, Malzahn’s wins against him underscored his reputation as a coach capable of exploiting elite defenses and redefining offensive approaches against Alabama.
Reaction to Malzahn’s retirement poured in from across college football. Missouri OC Chip Lindsey lauded his impact on the game and his lasting influence, while Brennan Marion, Eli Drinkwitz, Shaun Shivers Jr., and G.J. Kinne offered tributes highlighting Malzahn’s development of players, his offensive acumen, and the opportunities he provided those around him.
Malzahn’s retirement ends a defining chapter in college football, but his influence persists through his coaching tree and the offenses he helped popularize. As a figure who twice demonstrated the ability to beat Saban’s program and to rebuild programs around high-powered, innovative schemes, his legacy will be measured by the players he developed and the offensive thinking he left behind.
