Gene Chizik's Former Auburn Coordinators Getting it Done at New Jobs

BY Kevin Scarbinsky
22 October 2012

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Remember when Gus Malzahn and Ted Roof were supposedly part of the problem at Auburn?

Remember when the thinking was that the SEC had figured out Malzahn's offense and Roof's defense was full of holes?

Look at Gene Chizik’s former coordinators now.

They're both getting the job done in their first years at new schools.
I
n Malzahn’s first year as the Arkansas State head coach, the Red Wolves are 4-3, with two of the three losses to Oregon and Nebraska, and they’re one game out of first place in the Sun Belt.
Malzahn’s offense isn’t the best he’s ever run, but it’s not bad.
Arkansas State is No. 24 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing offense, No. 57 in passing offense, No. 35 in total offense and No. 48 in scoring offense. The Red Wolves scored more points than anyone else against Oregon in their 57-34 loss to the Ducks.

In contrast, Auburn is No. 97 in rushing offense and No. 113 in passing offense. If you think that’s bad, the Tigers are No. 119, or next to last, in total offense, and is tied at No. 118, or tied for next to last, in scoring offense.

Thank goodness for Tulane, or anecdotally and statistically, Auburn would have the worst offense in college football.

Roof is a key part of one of the best stories of the season at Penn State. After starting 0-2, the Nittany Lions have won five straight games, and Roof’s defense is a big part of that turnaround. And it is his defense because head coach Bill O’Brien’s area of expertise is on offense.

Penn State is No. 21 in the nation in rushing defense, No. 36 in pass defense, No. 22 in total defense and No. 13 in scoring defense. Roof’s defense is putting up those strong numbers despite playing alongside O’Brien’s hurry-up no-huddle NASCAR offense.

In another contrast, Auburn is No. 95 in rushing defense, No. 90 in pass defense, No. 75 in total defense and No. 55 in scoring defense.

Roof and Chizik never really worked at Auburn as a defensive coordinator-head coach combination. Malzahn and Chizik had philosophical differences last season.

That didn’t mean that Roof and Malzahn were bad football coaches.

They’re not. This season just reinforces that point.