Gus Malzahn Net Worth

Gus Malzahn has an estimated net worth of $25 million. The retired American college football coach built his wealth during a 35-year coaching career that took him from Arkansas high school football to major college programs in the SEC, Big 12 and ACC. He became known for his fast-paced, hurry-up, no-huddle offensive system and earned national recognition during Auburn’s 2010 national championship season.

Malzahn’s career reached its highest point at Auburn. He helped the Tigers win the 2010 national championship as offensive coordinator before returning to the school as head coach in 2013. In his first season, he led Auburn from a 3-9 record to a 12-2 season, an SEC championship and a place in the BCS National Championship Game.

His coaching success also brought major financial rewards. Malzahn signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with Auburn after the 2017 season. When Auburn fired him in 2020, he received a $21.45 million buyout. He later coached at UCF and served as Florida State’s offensive coordinator before retiring in February 2026.

Gus Malzahn Salary

Gus Malzahn’s earnings grew substantially as his reputation as an offensive coach developed. His early coaching salaries were modest compared with the compensation he later received at Auburn.

When Auburn hired Malzahn as offensive coordinator in 2009, he earned approximately $350,000. His salary increased to about $500,000 in 2010, when Auburn went undefeated and won the national championship with quarterback Cam Newton.

Following that championship season, Malzahn became one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in college football. Auburn raised his compensation to roughly $1.3 million for the 2011 season.

Malzahn left Auburn after that season to become the head coach at Arkansas State. His five-year contract paid approximately $850,000 per season. He stayed in the position for only one year before Auburn brought him back as head coach.

His initial Auburn head-coaching contract paid an average of about $2.3 million annually. After his remarkable 2013 season, Auburn raised his salary to $3.85 million for 2014. His compensation increased to approximately $4.1 million in 2015, followed by another restructuring that placed his annual salary at about $4.725 million.

After Auburn won the SEC West in 2017, the school agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract with Malzahn. By 2020, his annual compensation had increased to approximately $6.9 million.

Across his Auburn salaries, buyout, UCF contracts, Florida State compensation and earlier college coaching positions, Malzahn earned more than $70 million during his major-college coaching career.

$21.45 Million Auburn Buyout

A significant part of Gus Malzahn’s wealth came from his Auburn buyout.

Auburn fired Malzahn on December 13, 2020, following the 2020 regular season. The decision triggered a $21.45 million buyout under the terms of his contract.

Auburn was required to pay approximately half of the amount shortly after his dismissal. That payment came to roughly $10.7 million. The remaining amount was divided into four annual installments of about $2.68 million.

The contract also did not contain an offset provision. This meant Auburn could not reduce the buyout payments because Malzahn found another coaching job.

That provision became particularly valuable to Malzahn because he returned to coaching only two months after leaving Auburn. He became the head coach at UCF while continuing to receive payments from Auburn.

UCF Contract and Salary

UCF hired Malzahn as head coach in February 2021. His initial five-year contract was worth $11.5 million, giving him an average annual salary of approximately $2.3 million.

His compensation increased after UCF moved into the Big 12. A contract extension that took effect in 2023 raised his salary to $4 million per year and extended his agreement through 2027. The deal also provided for his compensation to eventually increase to $5.5 million annually.

Malzahn ultimately did not complete the contract. He resigned after the 2024 season and chose to move into an offensive coordinator role rather than continue as a head coach.

He finished his four seasons at UCF with a 28-24 record.

Florida State Salary

After leaving UCF, Malzahn joined Florida State as offensive coordinator for the 2025 season under head coach Mike Norvell.

His three-year contract called for compensation of $1.5 million in the first year, $2 million in the second year and $2.5 million in the third year.

Malzahn coached only one season under the agreement. Despite Florida State’s wider struggles, the offense improved significantly during his first year.

The Seminoles averaged 472.1 yards per game, which ranked sixth nationally. The team also led the ACC in total offense and averaged 218.7 rushing yards per game, giving Florida State its best rushing average in three decades.

Early Life

Arthur Gustavo Malzahn III was born on October 28, 1965, in Irving, Texas. He grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he developed an early interest in football.

Malzahn played wide receiver for the University of Arkansas in 1984 and 1985. He later transferred to Henderson State, where he played receiver and punter.

He graduated from Henderson State in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Rather than pursue a professional playing career, Malzahn moved directly into coaching. His career would eventually span Arkansas high school football and major college programs across several conferences.

High School Coaching Career

Malzahn began his coaching career at Hughes High School in Arkansas in 1991. He became the school’s head coach the following year.

In 1996, he moved to Shiloh Christian, where he began developing the aggressive offensive system that would later become his trademark at the college level.

Shiloh Christian won consecutive Arkansas state championships in 1998 and 1999. Both teams finished 15-0.

Malzahn became head coach at Springdale High School in 2001. His 2005 team went 14-0, won the Arkansas Class 5A state championship and outscored its opponents 664-118.

Over 14 seasons as a high school head coach, Malzahn compiled a 144-36-1 record. His teams reached seven state championship games and won three state titles.

His offensive philosophy was also beginning to attract attention beyond Arkansas. In 2003, he published The Hurry-Up, No-Huddle: An Offensive Philosophy, an 88-page coaching book explaining his approach to running a fast-paced offense.

Move to College Football

Malzahn made an unusual jump from high school head coach to SEC offensive coordinator when Arkansas hired him in 2006.

The Razorbacks’ offense featured future NFL players Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. Arkansas won the SEC West, while McFadden finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.

After one season at Arkansas, Malzahn moved to Tulsa. During his two seasons with the program, Tulsa led the nation in total offense in both 2007 and 2008.

The 2008 team averaged nearly 570 yards and more than 47 points per game. Malzahn’s success made him one of the most highly regarded offensive coaches in college football.

Auburn hired him as offensive coordinator in 2009.

2010 National Championship and Cam Newton

Malzahn’s reputation grew rapidly during the 2010 season.

Working with quarterback Cam Newton, he helped Auburn produce an undefeated 14-0 season. The Tigers won the SEC championship and defeated Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game.

Newton had a remarkable season, throwing for 2,908 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,586 yards and 20 touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy before becoming the first overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Auburn averaged more than 41 points per game, while Malzahn received the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.

The success generated interest from other programs. Auburn responded by significantly increasing his compensation, helping make Malzahn one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football.

Arkansas State Head Coaching Job

Malzahn became a college head coach for the first time when Arkansas State hired him before the 2012 season.

He led the Red Wolves to a 9-3 regular-season record and a Sun Belt Conference championship.

His stay in Arkansas State lasted only one season. Auburn had struggled to a 3-9 record in 2012 and fired head coach Gene Chizik.

On December 4, 2012, Auburn brought Malzahn back to the program as its head coach.

2013 Auburn Miracle Season

Malzahn’s first season back at Auburn became one of the most memorable campaigns in college football history.

The Tigers had gone 3-9 the previous year and had not won an SEC game. Under Malzahn, Auburn finished 12-2, won the SEC championship and reached the BCS National Championship Game.

The season featured two famous plays.

Against Georgia, Auburn faced fourth-and-18 with less than a minute remaining. Quarterback Nick Marshall threw a desperation pass that was tipped by two Georgia defenders before Ricardo Louis caught it and ran for a 73-yard touchdown. The play became known as the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare.”

Two weeks later, Auburn faced Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

The game was tied 28-28 with one second remaining when Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal. The kick fell short, and Auburn’s Chris Davis caught the ball in the end zone before returning it more than 100 yards for a touchdown as time expired.

The play became known as the “Kick Six.”

Auburn then defeated Missouri 59-42 in the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers rushed for an SEC Championship Game-record 545 yards.

The victory sent Auburn to the BCS National Championship Game against Florida State. Auburn built a 21-3 lead but eventually lost 34-31 after Florida State scored the winning touchdown with 13 seconds remaining.

Despite the loss, Malzahn received several major coaching honors, including AP Coach of the Year, SEC Coach of the Year, the Bear Bryant Award, the Bobby Bowden Award, the Eddie Robinson Award and the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award.

Later Auburn Career

Malzahn did not again reach the national championship game during his Auburn tenure, but the program remained competitive.

His next major run came in 2017. Auburn defeated No. 1 Georgia and No. 1 Alabama within three weeks and won the SEC West. The Tigers eventually lost to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Malzahn also developed a notable record against Alabama coach Nick Saban. He defeated Saban’s Alabama teams in 2013, 2017 and 2019.

Auburn eventually became dissatisfied with the program’s consistency. Malzahn finished his eight seasons as head coach with a 68-35 record, including 39-27 in SEC play.

He was fired after the 2020 regular season, triggering the $21.45 million buyout.

UCF Coaching Career

Malzahn became UCF’s head coach in February 2021.

He won nine games in his first season and finished the campaign with a victory over Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. UCF went 9-5 in 2022 and reached the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

The Knights joined the Big 12 in 2023. UCF finished 6-7 that season before falling to 4-8 in 2024.

Malzahn resigned after four seasons with a 28-24 overall record. Instead of immediately seeking another head-coaching position, he accepted the offensive coordinator role at Florida State.

Retirement From Coaching

Malzahn spent the 2025 season as Florida State’s offensive coordinator.

On February 2, 2026, he announced his retirement from coaching after 35 years in the profession.

He finished his college head-coaching career with a 105-62 record across Arkansas State, Auburn and UCF. Combined with his 144 high school victories, he became one of the rare coaches to record more than 100 victories at both the high school and major-college levels.

In March 2026, Malzahn was appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. He began a three-year term alongside coaches, athletic directors, former players and other college football administrators.

 Real Estate

Real estate has also been part of Malzahn’s financial portfolio.

After becoming UCF’s head coach, Malzahn and his wife, Kristi, paid $4.175 million in March 2021 for a mansion in Winter Park, Florida.

The approximately 7,500-square-foot property included six bedrooms, a guest house, gym, swimming pool, home office and several entertainment spaces.

The couple listed the property for $5.999 million in May 2024. It went under contract quickly and sold in June for the full $5.999 million asking price.

The transaction represented a gross increase of more than $1.8 million over the purchase price. That figure does not account for commissions, taxes, carrying costs or improvements.

Personal Life

Gus Malzahn is married to Kristi Otwell Malzahn. They have two daughters, Kylie and Kenzie.

Despite spending much of his college coaching career outside Arkansas, Malzahn has maintained strong ties to the state.

He was inducted into the Arkansas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and was previously inducted into the Henderson State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

When announcing his retirement in 2026, Malzahn cited the opportunity to spend more time with his family after more than three decades of coaching.

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