A day after being named the SEC Coach of the Year, Gus Malzahn has been named the Home Depot Coach of the Year.
Malzahn, in his first year of coaching for the Auburn Tigers, was handed a massive rebuilding project after their 2012 collapse under Gene Chizik. Malzahn lead the Tigers to a 12-1 record, their third SEC Championship in 10 years, and a spot in the BCS National Championship game against the undefeated Florida State Seminoles.
Malzahn will officially be honored on Thursday night, Dec. 12, at the Home Depot College Football Awards.
He has also been named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award, as well as the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award.
Auburn’s nine-win improvement is the best in NCAA this season, and a win against the Seminoles would make Auburn the most improved team from one season to the next in FBS history.
Auburn’s offense has been a force to be reckon with this season with running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Tre Mason as well as quarterback Nick Marshall. Auburn currently has the No 1 rushing offense in college football.
With the Home Depot Coach of the Year award, Malzahn earns another $100,000 bonus. He has now made $775K in incentives this season.