Written by José Terrassa.
Gus Malzahn, the veteran offensive guru, has navigated a career path defined by his commitment to the “Hurry-Up, No Huddle” scheme. This journey recently led him from a head coaching tenure at UCF to his current role as offensive coordinator at Florida State.
At UCF (2021-2024), Malzahn’s overall record of 28-24 included notable success in the American Athletic Conference, highlighted by consecutive 9-win seasons in 2021 and 2022 and a Gasparilla Bowl victory.
His teams were consistently among the nation’s elite rushing attacks, showcasing his ability to establish a physical identity. However, moving to the Big 12 Conference proved difficult for the Knights.
What followed was a pair of losing seasons, which ultimately prompted his surprising decision to resign and take the coordinator job in Tallahassee.
Malzahn’s arrival at Florida State for the 2025 season was immediately hailed as a brilliant move, with his revamped offense delivering a statement 31-17 victory over then-No. 8 Alabama in Week 1.
This early success, built on a revitalized running game and aggressive play-action passing, suggested Malzahn had restored the offensive identity FSU had been missing.
Unfortunately, that momentum has been a rollercoaster since their week 1 win against Alabama. The statement win was part of a 3-0 start, followed by four straight losses to Virginia, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Stanford.
However, it looks like things might be somewhat back under control for FSU as they are now 4-4 after a dominant win against Wake Forest, with the final score of 42-7.
With a 1-4 record in the ACC, it is clear that the Seminoles are out of contention for the conference title and the College Football Playoffs; a bowl appearance seems like the only way to “salvage” this season full of ups and downs.
