LITTLE ROCK — Gus Malzahn and his coaching staff put on a full-court recruiting press in late April, visiting all 215 of Arkansas’ football-playing high schools over a five-day period.
Roughly eight months after the “A-State Ambush,” it was another sort of ambush Tuesday when it was announced that Malzahn was leaving Arkansas State after one season to take the same position at Auburn.
Malzahn, a Fort Smith native, was offensive coordinator at Auburn in 2009-2011 before leading Arkansas State to its second consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship this fall.
Jonesboro Coach Randy Coleman said he understood a coach’s desire for career advancement but called Malzahn’s move “hypocritical” after staging an attention-grabbing event like the Ambush and continually talking about taking ASU to “another level.”
“When you make statements like making ASU another Boise State, which I think is possible, and then turn around and leave after one season, I just think it really leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths,” Coleman said.
Camden Fairview Coach Buck James said he was surprised to hear the news regarding Malzahn, an Arkansas high school coaching legend after going 144-36-1 in 14 seasons, highlighted by state championships at Shiloh Christian and Springdale.
Malzahn’s only recruiting class at ASU included Camden Fairview utility back Derek Keaton, who originally made an oral commitment to Kansas. Keaton orally committed to Arkansas State about a month after Malzahn landed the job in December.
“Yeah, I’m surprised, because I thought he was pretty adamant about staying,” James said. “But money talks, I guess.”
James’ son, senior defensive tackle Mckinze James, is being recruited by Arkansas State. Buck James said Red Wolves offensive line coach J.B. Grimes visited his son Monday but said nothing about Malzahn leaving.
“I don’t blame the guy,” Buck James said, referring to Malzahn. “He’s going to make more in one year than it would take five or six years to make. College coaches are driven by money. High school coaches are driven by the love of the game.”
Shiloh Christian Coach Josh Floyd was a record-setting quarterback on Malzahn’s first state championship team at the school in 1998.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity for him,” Floyd said. “I know he really enjoyed his time in the SEC.”
On the same day Malzahn bolted for Auburn, Arkansas named Bret Bielema its new coach. Bielema is 68-24 the past seven seasons at Wisconsin.
Floyd said he’s not nearly as familiar with Bielema as Malzahn but praised the move of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long.
“I think it’s a great hire for the Hogs,” Floyd said. “I don’t think over the course of history there’s many coaches that have gone to three straight Rose Bowls. That’s pretty impressive.”
James said he would expect Bielema to retain one or two assistants from the current staff because “he doesn’t know the state.”
Bielema’s teams at Wisconsin have been known for big, physical offensive lines and copious production at tailback.
“I think he’ll have the ability to recruit a lot real quality athletes at both positions,” Coleman said. “I think he’s an old-style coach, kind of a nononsense guy from everything I can gather about him. I think he’ll bring a no-nonsense approach to Arkansas.”
Sports, Pages 23 on 12/05/2012