College Football roundup: Auburn hires Malzahn coach

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has turned to Gus Malzahn to restore a program that made an unprecedented fall two years after winning a national title with Cam Newton operating his high-powered offense to perfection.

The school announced that it will introduce the former Arkansas State coach in a news conference Tuesday night.

Malzahn was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator during their 2010 national championship run before heading to Arkansas State for his first college head coaching position.

He led the Red Wolves to a 9-3 record, a Sun Belt Conference title and a berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl then parlayed that into a job in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

“It’s an outstanding institution with a storied football program that I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand for three years,” Malzahn said in a statement. He thanked school representatives for their confidence “in my ability to turn this program around and to bring Auburn back to national prominence. This is a homecoming for me and I look forward to being reunited with the Auburn family.”

Malzahn, 47, returns with his fast-paced, no-huddle offensive style. He replaces former boss Gene Chizik, who was fired one day after a 49-0 loss to No. 2 Alabama to complete a 3-9 season.

Before his arrival at Auburn in 2009, Malzahn had spent two seasons as Tulsa’s offensive coordinator. He was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas for one year after a successful run in the Arkansas high school ranks.

Auburn had the nation’s 115th-ranked offense last season, averaging 305 yards a game. The Red Wolves were ranked 19th in total yards under Malzahn.

It’s the second straight time Auburn has turned to one of its coordinators from an unbeaten team. Chizik ran the defense for the 13-0 team in 2004 but was hired by the Tigers despite a 5-19 record in two seasons at Iowa State.

“We are tremendously excited that Gus Malzahn will be our next head football coach,” athletic director Jay Jacobs said. “Coach Malzahn was the clear unanimous choice of our search committee, and I am pleased that Dr. Gogue has accepted our recommendation. This is a great day for Auburn football and Auburn University.”

Boston College hires Addazio away from Temple

BOSTON (AP) — When Brad Bates arrived at Boston College as the new athletic director, he had in his mind a list of football coaches he might someday want to hire.

He didn’t have to wait long to use it.

Two months after arriving in Chestnut Hill and nine days after firing Frank Spaziani following a 2-10 season, Bates hired Steve Addazio away from Temple.

“Any athletic director has a list of names that they’re perpetually following,” Bates told reporters after meeting with the football team to tell them of the new hire. “What you’re trying to do is match with the perfect fit. Not every great coach is a great fit for Boston College at this time.”

A Connecticut native who also worked at Notre Dame and Florida, Addazio went 13-11 in two seasons with the Owls since taking over for Al Golden. He replaces Spaziani, who was fired after four consecutive seasons of worsening records and two straight years without a bowl appearance.

Addazio, who is scheduled to be introduced at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, was given a six-year contract; financial terms were not disclosed.

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