Malzahn staying put in Auburn

Published Dec. 13, 2010 6:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Associated Press
December 13, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn coach Gene Chizik said offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has received a raise and contract extension, apparently ending fears that Malzahn would leave to take the Vanderbilt head coaching job.

"Gus Malzahn has played a large role in the success of our football program the last two years and we're very pleased to be able to give him a raise and extend his contract," Chizik said in a statement Monday. "In my opinion we have the best staff in the country, and while we want our coaches to strive to become head coaches, retaining them as long as we can is important to me and the entire Auburn family.

"Gus is a very bright and talented coach and we are looking forward to beginning preparation for the BCS national championship."

The Tigers (13-0) will face Oregon for the national title on Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz.

Neither Chizik nor Auburn has confirmed that Malzahn has been offered -- and turned down -- the Vanderbilt position. Details of Malzahn's new deal were not released.

A person familiar with the situation says Auburn will "more than double" Malzahn's $500,000 salary. The person spoke with The Associated Press Monday on condition of anonymity because details of the deal were not publicly announced.

Malzahn, who won the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, is also Auburn's quarterbacks coach and works with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.

"I'm very appreciative of coach Chizik and the entire administration for their support," Malzahn said. "My family and I love Auburn and right now my main focus is helping Auburn win a national championship."

Auburn ranks sixth nationally in rushing and scoring offense and seventh in total offense. Newton leads the nation in pass efficiency.

The announcement came a day after a report surfaced that Malzahn had accepted the head coaching job at Vanderbilt.

Rod Williamson, Vanderbilt's director of communications, told the AP on Monday by text only that, "Our process is continuing. I can't confirm discussions, but I can say that we are relentlessly pursuing the right" coach.

Vice Chancellor David Williams declined Sunday to say if Vanderbilt had offered Malzahn the job.