The Gus Bus gets a new (pseudo) driver.

Sounds like Mahzahn had to dig deep for this one.

Auburn has hired Memphis offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham to the same position, the team announced Sunday night.

Dillingham, 29, replaces Chip Lindsey, who recently left Auburn to become offensive coordinator at Kansas under new coach Les Miles. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn will be the team’s primary offensive playcaller in 2019, according to a news release, although both Dillingham and co-offensive coordinator Kodi Burns will be involved.  [Emphasis added.]

Gus had to turn to a 29-year old when Hugh Freeze decided the Liberty job was more attractive and when South Carolina’s running backs coach (!) turned down Auburn’s generous offer to carry Malzahn’s water.

Between this and Stidham’s early departure for the NFL, it’s already shaping up to be a banner year on the Plains.

27 Comments

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27 responses to “The Gus Bus gets a new (pseudo) driver.

  1. Everyone knows Gus is gone in a year. A on3 year promotion to the SEC for a 29 year old is a good move. Not so much for Bentley.

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  2. Hogbody Spradlin

    Gus is beginning to look like he’s not really P5 head coach timber, a little overwhelmed.

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  3. tbia

    Unless Cam walks thru that door, its a farewell tour

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  4. ChiliDawg

    My favorite part of this is that he’s hiring an offensive coordinator to be co-offensive coordinator with someone on staff while Malzahn will be “primary playcaller.”

    What could go wrong?

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  5. papadawg

    I like drivin’ in my truck

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  6. Bulldog Joe

    QB competition is wide open as are the player leadership positions, especially on offense. It will be a total rebuild on offense. Not sure if Gus has the bandwidth to do this AND fulfill the head coaching responsibilities.

    Patrick Nix’ son won a second HS state championship and will be competing for the starting QB role. Regardless of who starts, expect a return to a more simplified run-oriented offense featuring the QB.

    Not convinced the people at Auburn have the patience for this.

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  7. So you lose your OC to Kansas…KANSAS, and you replace him with at least your plan D at best…the OC at Memphis. On top of that, tptb at Auburn have essentially admitted they don’t want Gus to succeed and aim to make his life miserable in the process; all due to their own making by giving him a horribly ill-advised 7 year contract last year.

    All I got to say is: Tennessee 2.0. Auburn is in for a lot of misery in the years ahead.

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  8. Normaltown Mike

    hate to say it, but aren’t these the conditions when Auburn turns in an inexplicably good team that dominates the SEC?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Cousin Eddie

      Yep. When they are ranked they suck when they aren’t expected to do anything they win the SEC.

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    • Bulldog Joe

      No transfer QB and no goodwill for Gus this time. No dominating player in the backfield and lots of holes in the line.

      Conditions are not the same.

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      • Correct, and their recruiting has been anything but sexy as well; especially compared to us and Bama. They also are starting to lose talent off their really good DL, and their OL reminds me of a typical CMR OL – mediocre at best, with little depth.

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  9. Go Dawgs!

    The beatdown Georgia hands Auburn next fall on the Plains needs to be absolutely Biblical. The SEC Championship Game and this year’s dominant win between the hedges weren’t revenge … revenge comes next year at the scene of the crime (and of so many other crimes) and I think it needs to be akin to the pasting that led to Chizik’s firing back in 2012.

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  10. CPark58

    Does Kelly Bryant have to sit out a year or did 2018 count as sitting out since he pulled himself during his redshirt period? He’s about the only hope Gus has. If that happens, Gus probably wrangles another contract extension out of the Barn because they are stupid.

    If Bryant can’t play right away, Operation Auburn Freezes Over will be a go and Hugh Freeze will be looking to grant a second chance to one lucky blue chip delinquent QB at the Plains of Misfit Toys.

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  11. Bulldog Joe

    Dillingham won’t be driving the bus.

    Best he can hope for is room on the front seat. And some good airbags.

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  12. ecdawg78

    This slow spiral down of the Gus Bus is dull compared to past Auburn adventures (e.g. Jetgate). BTW, what are Bobby Lowder and Yella Fella up to these days anyway?

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  13. Comin' Down The Track

    “… Chip Lindsey, who recently left Auburn to become offensive coordinator at Kansas under new coach Les Miles.”

    Just let that sink in.

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  14. Uglydawg.

    If the Auburn Powers are navigating the yellow brick road believing that it ends at the wizard Freeze’s throne, they are as naive as Jr. and Lulu are stupid.
    If HF is successful at Liberty, I wonder if Auburn can even pry him loose. Liberty’s got a lot of money.
    It also remains to be seen if Pruitt is going to be everything UT is expecting. He’s got maybe two more years to beat Alabama, Georgia and Florida and win the natty before the hillbilly hoard gets restless. You know there are dumb ass boosters already musing over who’s next in Knoxville.
    And are things really settled at UF?

    Liked by 1 person