Head coach Gus Malzahn was presented the award Friday, May 30th at Auburn Athletics Complex.
United States Sports Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich proudly announces Gus Malzahn as the 2014 recipient of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award for his exceptional first season as the Auburn University head football coach.
Malzahn, who was named National Coach of the Year by several publications and organizations, led the Tigers to the 2013 SEC Championship. Auburn finished the 2013 season with a record of 12-2 and a No. 2 ranking, advancing to the NCAA Division I National Championship game against Florida State. The season was one of the top turnarounds in major college football history. He also was named the 2013 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year.
The presentation of the Stagg Award to Coach Malzahn will take place on Friday, May 30th at 11 a.m. (CDT) at the Auburn Athletics Complex. Dr. Arthur Ogden, Chair of the Academy’s Sports Management program, will make the presentation. Dr. Ogden served as an assistant athletic director at Auburn in the mid-1990s.
The 2013 season was a magical one for Malzahn and Auburn, as they defeated five ranked teams, including dramatic victories at No. 7 Texas A&M and back-to-back games against No. 25 Georgia and No. 1 Alabama.
The Tigers defeated Georgia in the final 30 seconds of the game as Bulldog defensive back Josh Harvey-Clemons tipped up a deep pass from quarterback Nick Marshall that landed right in the out-stretched arms of Ricardo Lewis leading to a game-winning touchdown.
During the last minute against rival Alabama, Auburn cornerback Chris Davis caught a missed field goal nine yards deep in the end zone and sprinted the ball all the way for a touchdown and a 34-28 win, sending the Tigers into SEC Championship game.
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award is presented to an individual who has experienced outstanding achievement as a coach. The recipient should exhibit a high standard of propriety, imagination, and innovation as a character-builder in the tradition of great teacher-coaches.
Malzahn also served as the offensive coordinator of the Tiger’s 2010 National Championship team.
The United States Sports Academy’s Award of Sport program is a long-standing awards program within the Academy, dating back to 1985. The recipients of the awards will be recognized in an awards ceremony in November.
The 2013 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award was given to the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, for leading his team to the playoffs for his first five years and winning the National Football League’s 2013 Super Bowl.