Malzahn to revive Auburn with new coaching staff

Gus Malzahn will lead the Auburn Tigers as head coach to replace recently fired Gene Chizik.  Malzahn, a former Tiger Offensive Coordinator in their 2010 championship season, heads back to Auburn with an annual $2.3 million 5-year contract.

During his time away from Auburn, Malzahn was head coach for Arkansas State.

In a one of his first official duties, Malzahn has wiped the slate clean by releasing the assistant coaches, and is carefully hiring his staff.

One of his selections is 60 year-old Ellis Johnson, former head coach of Southern Miss for their 0-12 season this year.  Johnson comes on board for the Tigers as defensive coordinator.

Johnson has an SEC resume with colleges such as Alabama, Miss. State and South Carolina where under Steve Spurrier he produced the #4 defense in the nation.  His contract annual salary is rumored to be an annual $800,000 so let's assume Malzahn sees something more than his record at Southern Miss.