Florida State OC Malzahn retires from coaching

Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn announced his retirement Monday.

"After 35 years, it's time for me to step away from coaching," Malzahn said in a statement. "I am excited to spend more time with my family and focus on the next chapter of my life."

The Seminoles promoted wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr. to offensive coordinator following Malzahn's departure. He'll be the team's third full-time offensive coordinator in as many years. Harris previously served as the offensive play-caller at UCF and FIU prior to joining Florida State in December 2024.

"I want to thank Coach Malzahn for his effort and dedication to our program over the last 14 months," head coach Mike Norvell said. "He did a wonderful job coordinating our offense and calling plays in 2025, and he has set a strong foundation for us to continue building on in 2026 behind the coordination of Tim Harris and the multiple other assistant coaches who are returning."

Malzahn's coaching career began at the high school level in Arkansas. He was inducted into the Arkansas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 after compiling a 144-36-1 record and setting multiple national offensive records.

He joined the college ranks in 2006, becoming the offensive coordinator for the Arkansas Razorbacks. In 2009, former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik hired Malzahn for the same role. The following year, he won the Broyles Award and became one of the highest-paid assistants in college football after turning around the Tigers' offense.

Malzahn served as the head coach at Arkansas State for one season, in 2012, before taking the reins at Auburn, where he remained through the 2020 season.

Malzahn established a 105-62 record as a head coach at Auburn, UCF, and Arkansas State. During the 2013 campaign, he led the Tigers to an SEC title and an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game, which they lost to the Seminoles.