Malzahn no longer candidate at Vandy

Published Dec. 12, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is no longer a candidate to become the next coach at Vanderbilt, according to reports.

Malzahn would have replaced Robbie Caldwell, who resigned late last month after a 2-10 mark in his first and only season as head coach. Caldwell, then an assistant head coach, took over in July after Bobby Johnson abruptly retired after eight seasons with the Commodores.

Malzahn, 45, is regarded as one of college football's top young offensive minds. This season, he helped Cam Newton win the Heisman Trophy, the third in school history, while accounting for 2,589 yards passing (28 touchdowns) and 1,409 yards rushing (20 scores).

In just his second year as Auburn's offensive coordinator, Malzahn's innovative scheme has worked well for the Tigers. The Auburn offense set numerous school records during his first season, including points in a season (433), most total yards of offense in a season (5,613) and most passing touchdowns in a season (25).

Before arriving at Auburn in 2009, Malzahn spent one year as offensive coordinator at Arkansas (2006) and two seasons as Tulsa's OC. While at Tulsa in 2007, the Golden Hurricane became the first team in NCAA history to have 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers in a single season. In 2008, Malzahn's offense averaged 570 yards per game and ranked second in the nation in scoring.

In 14 years as a head coach at the high school level, Malzahn led seven teams to a state title game and won three championships. At Springdale High School in Arkansas, where Malzahn won a state title in 2005, he tutored Gatorade Player of the Year QB Mitch Mustain.