The face of a man that knows how to beat Alabama carried with it a mix of quiet satisfaction and familiarity as cameras caught former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn walking off the field in Tallahassee after Florida State’s season-opening win over the Crimson Tide. For fans who have followed his career closely, that expression was more than just a moment of postgame joy—it was a reminder of a history defined by battles against Nick Saban and the football machine in Tuscaloosa. Now serving as the offensive coordinator for Florida State, Malzahn once again proved that his offensive creativity, strategic adjustments, and unflinching confidence can carve out victories against the sport’s most dominant program. In doing so, he not only elevated the Seminoles to national relevance but also reignited memories of his rivalry with Alabama during his tenure at Auburn.
Malzahn’s history against Alabama is one of the most fascinating chapters in modern college football. When he took over at Auburn in 2013, few outside of the Plains expected his innovative spread offense and hurry-up tempo to challenge Saban’s disciplined and talent-heavy defenses. Yet, year after year, Malzahn’s teams gave Alabama fits, finding ways to keep games competitive, pull off upsets, and deliver unforgettable moments in the Iron Bowl rivalry. The most famous of these came in the “Kick Six” game of 2013, when Auburn stunned Alabama on a missed field goal return to secure a berth in the SEC Championship and eventually the national title game. That victory etched Malzahn’s name permanently into college football lore, and it branded him as one of the few coaches who seemed to consistently have a formula for challenging Saban’s empire.
Fast forward to the present, and Florida State’s victory over Alabama in the season opener felt like a continuation of that legacy. For Seminole fans, it was the perfect way to open a campaign filled with playoff hopes and expectations. For Malzahn, however, it was also personal vindication. Critics often point to his uneven tenure at Auburn, where the highs were as dramatic as the lows were frustrating. He could beat Alabama, Georgia, and LSU in stunning fashion but also lose head-scratchers to less talented teams. That inconsistency eventually cost him his job on the Plains. Yet, even in his departure, Alabama fans breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that one of the few coaches capable of regularly scheming his way into games against them was out of the SEC. With Florida State’s win, however, Malzahn reminded everyone that his tactical brilliance is still intact.
What makes Malzahn’s approach so unique against Alabama is his willingness to break tendencies. Saban’s defenses thrive on preparation, discipline, and talent advantages. They are built to suffocate conventional game plans and outlast teams that try to grind things out. Malzahn, however, has long believed in forcing defenses into uncomfortable situations. His fast tempo does not allow for defensive substitutions, his misdirection plays test discipline, and his willingness to mix trick plays with power running keeps opponents guessing. Against Alabama, he has always leaned into these principles, knowing that trying to beat them straight up in a power contest is a losing proposition. Florida State embraced this same identity in the season opener, striking quickly, forcing Alabama to play from behind, and never allowing the Tide to dictate the tempo of the game.
The narrative significance of this game cannot be overstated. Florida State has been searching for a return to its golden era, a time when Bobby Bowden made the Seminoles synonymous with national dominance. In recent years, the program has shown flashes but struggled to maintain elite status consistently. The addition of Malzahn to the staff as offensive coordinator was not just about play calling—it was about injecting a proven big-game strategist into a team with the talent to contend. His fingerprints were all over Florida State’s offensive execution against Alabama. The Seminoles looked poised, creative, and aggressive, which is exactly the mindset needed to take down a team like the Crimson Tide.
For Alabama, this loss will undoubtedly spark conversations about whether the dynasty is finally showing cracks. Every time the Tide lose a season opener or a big game, speculation about the future of the program and Saban’s eventual retirement intensifies. Yet, those who know the history between Malzahn and Saban understand that this particular loss may not say as much about Alabama’s decline as it does about Malzahn’s rare ability to outmaneuver Saban in specific matchups. It takes a unique football mind to exploit Alabama’s system, and Malzahn has always possessed that knack.
The reaction across college football was swift. Auburn fans, though no longer directly tied to Malzahn, couldn’t help but smile at seeing their former coach once again frustrate their most hated rival. Florida State fans celebrated not only the win but also the possibility that they now have a staff capable of navigating the toughest matchups on their schedule. For Alabama fans, frustration was laced with familiarity. They’ve seen this movie before: Malzahn smiling on the sideline as their defense struggles to keep up with his schemes. The face captured on camera after the game wasn’t just one of joy—it was one of recognition, the look of a man who has been here before and knows what it takes.
There’s also an educational lesson embedded in Malzahn’s success. Football, at its highest levels, is often portrayed as a contest of sheer talent, with the team boasting the deepest roster usually coming out on top. Alabama, with its endless supply of five-star recruits, embodies that idea. But Malzahn has always demonstrated that coaching and strategy can level the playing field. His win with Florida State reminds young coaches, players, and fans alike that creativity and preparation can topple even the biggest giants. It is a reminder that football remains, at its core, a chess match where innovation can upset tradition.
Looking ahead, Florida State’s season will be defined by how they build on this victory. Beating Alabama in the opener provides momentum, confidence, and national respect, but it also puts a target on their back. Every team they face moving forward will circle the date on the calendar, eager to test whether the Seminoles are truly elite or just one-week wonders. Malzahn’s role in maintaining consistency throughout the season will be crucial. His history at Auburn showed that he could engineer monumental wins, but consistency was the challenge. If he can help Florida State sustain this level of play, his reputation may shift from being the man who occasionally beats Alabama to being the strategist who reestablished a national powerhouse.
There’s also the human side of this story. For Malzahn, coaching has always been about proving doubters wrong. From his days as a high school coach in Arkansas to his rise at Auburn and now to Florida State, he has carried the label of being unconventional, sometimes even an outsider in the world of college football’s traditional power structures. Yet time and again, he has found ways to succeed. Seeing his face after the win was not just about beating Alabama—it was about validation. Validation that his ideas still work. Validation that his career, which many assumed had plateaued after Auburn, still has room for significant accomplishments. Validation that he belongs in the conversation when discussing the most impactful offensive minds in the modern era of the sport.
