Gus Malzahn leaves UCF after four years to take Florida State OC job

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell appears to be heaving a Hail Mary to keep his job after a dismal 2024 season.

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is resigning his post in order to become the Seminoles' new offensive coordinator.

The Knights (4-8) concluded their season on Friday in a 28-14 loss to Utah with Malzahn's tenure in Orlando ending after four years at a mediocre 28-24 mark.

Norvell hasn't had any better of a season, beginning at a No. 10 ranking and then sinking to the bottom of the FBS standings with a current 2-9 record. With his job seemingly on the line, Norvell reportedly is giving up play-calling duties to the incoming Malzahn.

The two have a previous connection in their coaching careers with Norvell working under Malzahn as a graduate assistant while at Tulsa in 2007 and 2008.

Some might know Malzahn better from his time at Auburn, where he helped lead the Tigers to the 2010 national championship when he was still the offensive coordinator/associate head coach. He then went on to be Auburn's head coach from 2013 to 2020, compiling a 68-35 record.

UCF had the 18th-best total offense this season despite having a sub-.500 record.

Malzahn's addition to the shaken-up coaching staff in Tallahassee might be just the boost it needs to recover from such a fall from grace.

It will also be interesting to watch and see who if any of Malzahn's players at UCF follow him in the transfer portal.

Norvell will have one last contest to endure before preparations for next year begin. The Seminoles face in-state rival Florida later Saturday.