Gus Malzahn To Arkansas State: Ex-Auburn Offensive Coordinator To Become Red Wolves Head Coach

In a surprising move, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has accepted the head coaching job at Arkansas State University, the Associated Press reports.

Malzahn garnered national recognition last season as the mastermind behind the Cam Newton-led offense that took the SEC by storm and lifted the Tigers to the school's first BCS National Title.

As a result of Auburn's performance in 2010, Malzahn received the Broyles Award for being the top college football assistant coach in the nation. Although several large schools hoped to make the offensive guru their head coach, Malzahn decided to sign a multi-year extension at Auburn instead, with a pay raise -- reportedly up to $1.3 million per year -- to remain the school's offensive coordinator.

By accepting the job in Jonesboro, Malzahn goes from a high-profile gig in college football's most prestigious conference to the far less-heralded Sun Belt Conference while also reportedly taking a major pay cut. According to Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com, Malzahn will make $600,000 a year at Arkansas State.

With Auburn's defensive coordinator Ted Roof leaving the school to take the same position at the University of Central Florida, the coaching staff is in disarray heading into the offseason.