Gus Malzahn resigns from UCF to lead Florida State's offense

In the United States, on November 29, 2024, Gus Malzahn announced his resignation from his position as head coach of the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he had a lackluster tenure marked by inconsistent performances. During his four years at UCF, the team concluded with a record of 28-24, including a disappointing 4-8 season this year. Malzahn's leadership faced scrutiny after UCF experienced a decline, with the program notably losing eight of its last nine games. This situation placed Malzahn under pressure, and it was clear he was on the brink of being removed if he did not improve the team's performance by 2025. With a background that includes a successful stint at Auburn and a history of strong offensive performance, Malzahn is now taking on the role of offensive coordinator at Florida State University (FSU). This change is significant, as FSU had previously endured a dismal 1-7 season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and is looking for revival after their recent struggles following a 13-1 season just a year prior, where they narrowly missed qualifying for the College Football Playoff. In FSU, Malzahn will work under head coach Mike Norvell, with whom he shares a past working relationship from their time together at Tulsa. Norvell's decision to hire Malzahn as the primary playcaller follows a tumultuous season that highlighted the need for an overhaul in the coaching staff and the offensive strategy. Malzahn is recognized for his dynamic offense and has a proven track record, having led Auburn's offense during a national title run in 2010. He aims to revitalize FSU's play, which struggled significantly in the recent season, symbolized by a national ranking of 131 in total offense. Given Malzahn's experience, particularly in coaching offenses that have made significant yardage gains, his arrival could symbolically inject new life into the Seminoles' game plan and execution on the field. His previous roles have seen offenses average impressive yardage, with multiple seasons exceeding 5,000 yards. With improvements needed to restore FSU's competitive edge, Malzahn's transition represents a pivotal moment for both him and the Seminole program as they aim for a better outcome in the upcoming seasons.