Few coaches in recent history have had more success against Alabama than Gus Malzahn, and on Saturday, he notched another win while serving as Florida State’s offensive coordinator, defeating the Crimson Tide in what has been described as a stunning upset. Following the game, Malzahn humorously took to social media to express his excitement.

In his debut as a member of Mike Norvell’s coaching staff, Malzahn orchestrated a game that yielded 31 points and 230 rushing yards for the Seminoles. Known for pulling off significant upsets over Alabama, he enjoyed the victorious moment while fans flooded the field at Doak Campbell Stadium.

“Felt like old times tonight!! 🍢”
— Coach Gus Malzahn (source)

Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s basketball coach and a longtime friend of Malzahn, joined in the celebratory spirit.

Bruce Pearl
— Bruce Pearl (source)

A key aspect of Florida State’s offensive prowess was the combination of Malzahn’s strategic gameplay with Castellanos’s dual-threat capabilities at quarterback. After the match, Castellanos remarked that Malzahn’s extensive experience against Alabama was a significant advantage in their preparation for the challengers.

“He has played against Alabama twelve or thirteen times and won six times. He just knows them very well. We developed a strong game plan, and he put us in the best positions to execute our plays.”

Since his time as the offensive coordinator for Arkansas in 2006, Malzahn has now triumphed over the Crimson Tide a total of six times, including four wins against Nick Saban when he served as head coach at Auburn. This latest victory, while perhaps not as dramatic as the iconic “Kick Six,” certainly carries its own satisfaction.