Gus Malzahn Retires After 35 Years in Coaching, Leaving Florida State's Offense in Transition
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The Florida State Seminoles ended the 2025 season as the ACC’s top offense, leading the league in total and rushing yards while finishing sixth nationally with 472.1 yards per game.
It marked a rapid turnaround for a Seminoles program that improved its total offense by over 200 yards per game (270.3) from 2024.
Florida State produced its highest rushing average since 1995 and set a school record with 498 rushing yards in a single game, when it racked up a school-record 775 total yards against the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Wide receiver Duce Robinson (1,081 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 56 receptions) was one of the main catalysts for such a great offensive campaign. Robinson became Florida State’s 11th wideout ever to reach 1,000 yards and was named a first-team Academic All-American.
After just one season guiding that unit, Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn announced his retirement on Monday, ending a 35-year coaching career.
“After 35 years, it’s time for me to step away from coaching,” Malzahn said. “I am excited to spend more time with my family and focus on the next chapter of my life. I want to thank Coach [Mike] Norvell for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a prestigious program.”
Malzahn, 60, was previously the head coach for the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Auburn Tigers and UCF Knights. He went 105-62 as a college head coach, winning the SEC and reaching the BCS National Championship game in 2013 with Auburn, losing to Florida State.
After 35 years coaching football, @CoachGusMalzahn announced his retirement Monday morning.@CoachT_HarrisJR has been promoted to offensive coordinator
🔗: https://t.co/FUXQv8huPn#NoleFamilypic.twitter.com/60s1d01bo6
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) February 2, 2026
Malzahn’s departure leaves a key vacancy in one of the nation’s top attacks. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell confirmed Monday that wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr. has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
Harris helped engineer much of FSU’s offensive success last season, and he previously served as offensive coordinator at UCF and for the Florida International Panthers.
“I want to thank Coach Malzahn for his effort and dedication to our program over the last 14 months,” Norvell said. “He has set a strong foundation for us to continue building on in 2026.”
Norvell’s track record on offense remains among the most consistent in college football, with his Seminoles averaging 34.6 points per game since he took over in 2016, the third-highest average among head coaches active for the past 10 seasons.
Florida State will open the 2026 season against the New Mexico State Aggies on Aug. 29.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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