Coach Gus

[AUJedi 243]

After watching many interviews and pressers of Coach Malzahn and watching how he coaches, I’ve become almost fully convinced the man has Aspergers. Aspergers is a mild form of autism. I have a family member that’s been diagnosed with Aspergers. Everyone thinks of someone like Rain Man when you mention autism, but autism has a broad spectrum. Someone with Aspergers would be considered highly functional autism. Unless you live with or spend a lot of time with them, you would never suspect anything is wrong with them. They appear very normal. 

Someone posted a cartoon recently that showed someone drinking coffee while the building was burning. It’s funny and sad, but that describes someone with Aspergers to a T. They have an obsession with structure and routine, and ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ most times. I don’t think Coach’s stubbornness comes from arrogance. His system is his ‘routine’ or order, his focus. They don’t veer from their routine. It’s just how their mind works. I wish someone would convince Mrs. Kristi or any of his family to convince Coach to get evaluated by a specialist in the off season. Even if he doesn’t pan out at AU, if he wants to continue coaching, it would help. His inability to change or adapt is the one thing that drives fans crazy and is destroying his career. I don’t hear any complaints about any other aspect of his coaching. If he didn’t have this one glaring weakness, we’d probanly have one of the elite coaches in the country. 

All of this might sound like hogwash to most, but if I was part of his family, I’d check into it. And if his family did nothing, if I was Mr. Greene and the plan was to hang on to Coach, as part of his evaluation I might suggest or make mandatory some type of psychological counseling or testing in regards to some of his decision making process 

[aucom96 1,617]

I think he's a guy with a script that has worked for him his entire career. He came into this situation where Auburn and every other SEC school is trying to survive in the recruiting wars with Saban. For some, the easiest measure of that is stars on signing day and we've done as well in that as ever. What we haven't done is recruited to our needs. We haven't built a program. We have a mixed bag of athletic ability that doesn't necessarily fit what we're trying to do. We haven't built our offensive line. We haven't won the recruiting battles we needed in the backfield. But Gus still has his script and it's always worked so he bangs the "execution" drum. This is the SEC. They have players who are big AND fast and they have lots of them. Trying to win with a philosophy meant to succeed off miscues and timing will only take you so far in this league and there's a lot of film on us now. Combine that with a randomly constructed program and here we are. 

[Swamp Eagle 5,129]

22 minutes ago, AUJedi said:

After watching many interviews and pressers of Coach Malzahn and watching how he coaches, I’ve become almost fully convinced the man has Aspergers. Aspergers is a mild form of autism. I have a family member that’s been diagnosed with Aspergers. Everyone thinks of someone like Rain Man when you mention autism, but autism has a broad spectrum. Someone with Aspergers would be considered highly functional autism. Unless you live with or spend a lot of time with them, you would never suspect anything is wrong with them. They appear very normal. 

Someone posted a cartoon recently that showed someone drinking coffee while the building was burning. It’s funny and sad, but that describes someone with Aspergers to a T. They have an obsession with structure and routine, and ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ most times. I don’t think Coach’s stubbornness comes from arrogance. His system is his ‘routine’ or order, his focus. They don’t veer from their routine. It’s just how their mind works. I wish someone would convince Mrs. Kristi or any of his family to convince Coach to get evaluated by a specialist in the off season. Even if he doesn’t pan out at AU, if he wants to continue coaching, it would help. His inability to change or adapt is the one thing that drives fans crazy and is destroying his career. I don’t hear any complaints about any other aspect of his coaching. If he didn’t have this one glaring weakness, we’d probanly have one of the elite coaches in the country. 

All of this might sound like hogwash to most, but if I was part of his family, I’d check into it. And if his family did nothing, if I was Mr. Greene and the plan was to hang on to Coach, as part of his evaluation I might suggest or make mandatory some type of psychological counseling or testing in regards to some of his decision making process 

You're not the first one to post this. I've seen this on other Auburn forums. Interesting.

[auskip07 930]

Also have a sibling with Aspergers  and i have questioned it with Gus also.  

[1auburn1 1,110]

I've thought this for a while.    He can still succeed if someone can convince him to let go of the offensive reigns and let the OC (whoever it is) coach.   Much like the defense the Gus doens't know well and lets Steele handle.    

" Trying to win with a philosophy meant to succeed off miscues and timing will only take you so far in this league and there's a lot of film on us now. "

I think this can still win in this league and is frankly our best option.    We're not going to line up head-to-head with the top of this league and just knock them off the ball.    It's just that now Gus has forgotten what he knows and is trying to do something with the wrong personnel for his system.   Our OL will never be able to blow people off the ball but could be good enough to get angles and shields if you had a true runner at QB to keep D's guessing.     It's really been that way the whole time he's been here.     As it is, our OL gets trucked and the QB ducks and chucks.     Hey, our new motto "Truck, Duck and Chuck"!

 

[gr82be 14,421]

While I try not to align with speculation the OP got me thinking. I am trying to keep my thoughts on Gus the man separate from Gus the coach. I truly admire the man but question the coach like everyone else. I don't know anyone personally who has been diagnosed with Asperger's but I looked it up and I thought this bit was interesting to see. 10. Chewing Gum – The constant act of chewing can be very relaxing for the symptoms of Aspergers in Children. 

[passthebiscuits 6,843]

I have had strong suspicions for years that he has Asperger's. I don't think it means anything other than 

1) it explains some of his unusual tendencies

2) it serves as a motivation to those with Aspergers that they too can make $7 million a year one day.

no doubt.

[around4ever 4,139]

This is not the first time we have discussed the possibility of Aspergers.  Some have suspected it for several years.  The signs are there.  He should be tested, if he hasn't been tested before. 

[1auburn1 1,110]

Is poor break dancing a symptom?

[SKIPPER_01 99]

Agree with all of this.

Who signed this stupid contract?

[I_M4_AU 7,783]

22 minutes ago, passthebiscuits said:

I have had strong suspicions for years that he has Asperger's. I don't think it means anything other than 

1) it explains some of his unusual tendencies

2) it serves as a motivation to those with Aspergers that they too can make $7 million a year one day.

no doubt.

To me it doesn’t matter if he has Asperger’s or not.  Or if he should be “tested” as Gus is who he is.  Really, the reason a person is “tested” to see if they have Asperger’s is so that person can get help during their youth.  There are certain advantages during their school years that they can take advantage of.  Once your an adult, being diagnosed with Asperger’s is useless, that person has dealt with their issues and obviously have succeeded. 

Love the post ptb, it really puts everything into perspective. 

[alexava 6,973]

This makes sense. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

6 minutes ago, I_M4_AU said:

To me it doesn’t matter if he has Asperger’s or not.  Or if he should be “tested” as Gus is who he is.  Really, the reason a person is “tested” to see if they have Asperger’s is so that person can get help during their youth.  There are certain advantages during their school years that they can take advantage of.  Once your an adult, being diagnosed with Asperger’s is useless, that person has dealt with their issues and obviously have succeeded. 

Love the post ptb, it really puts everything into perspective. 

If nothing else, the next time somebody throws their hands up in the air and asks, "What's wrong with this guy?", the person next to them can say, "We think he's got Asperger's." Seriously. Having an explanation is better than not having one.

But no, on a practical level, it won't change anything else. 

[chimes 442]

2 hours ago, aucom96 said:

I think he's a guy with a script that has worked for him his entire career. He came into this situation where Auburn and every other SEC school is trying to survive in the recruiting wars with Saban. For some, the easiest measure of that is stars on signing day and we've done as well in that as ever. What we haven't done is recruited to our needs. We haven't built a program. We have a mixed bag of athletic ability that doesn't necessarily fit what we're trying to do. We haven't built our offensive line. We haven't won the recruiting battles we needed in the backfield. But Gus still has his script and it's always worked so he bangs the "execution" drum. This is the SEC. They have players who are big AND fast and they have lots of them. Trying to win with a philosophy meant to succeed off miscues and timing will only take you so far in this league and there's a lot of film on us now. Combine that with a randomly constructed program and here we are. 

Great post

[I_M4_AU 7,783]

1 minute ago, McLoofus said:

If nothing else, the next time somebody throws their hands up in the air and asks, "What's wrong with this guy?", the person next to them can say, "We think he's got Asperger's." Seriously. Having an explanation is better than not having one.

But no, on a practical level, it won't change anything else. 

This is the whole problem with “labeling” a person.  It’s an automatic excuse without taking into account the individual.  It can soothe a fan’s feelings, but it’s still Gus’ (and Auburn’s) issue to deal with.

If Auburn and Gus parts ways, it should be because of Gus’ performance. Not some speculation as to his mental state.

[Mike4AU 1,739]

Some people with Asperger’s would have a disability under ADA and some would not. Let’s hope this does not become an issue. 

[chimes 442]

I agree that it’s very possible that Gus has Aperger’s or is at least on the spectrum. I disagree that anyone with Asperger’s has to be very regimented and structured. I , too, have a very close family member who’s been diagnosed with Asperger’s and they’re nothing like that at all. Socially awkward- yes. Absolutely brilliant in their own way- yes. Stubborn beyond belief to the point of running Auburn’s football program into the ground- no. I honestly just think Gus is one of the most stubborn and least self aware people on the planet, regardless of the fact that he might have Asperger’s or anything else.

[TigerFanAU 586]

2 hours ago, aucom96 said:

I think he's a guy with a script that has worked for him his entire career. He came into this situation where Auburn and every other SEC school is trying to survive in the recruiting wars with Saban. For some, the easiest measure of that is stars on signing day and we've done as well in that as ever. What we haven't done is recruited to our needs. We haven't built a program. We have a mixed bag of athletic ability that doesn't necessarily fit what we're trying to do. We haven't built our offensive line. We haven't won the recruiting battles we needed in the backfield. But Gus still has his script and it's always worked so he bangs the "execution" drum. This is the SEC. They have players who are big AND fast and they have lots of them. Trying to win with a philosophy meant to succeed off miscues and timing will only take you so far in this league and there's a lot of film on us now. Combine that with a randomly constructed program and here we are.

I agree with all of this, but it doesn't explain why he won't adapt or change. If anyone has ever been in charge of a group of people or a team, then you know how tough leadership is, and you're ALWAYS looking for new ideas. Something new and fresh. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

15 minutes ago, I_M4_AU said:

This is the whole problem with “labeling” a person.  It’s an automatic excuse without taking into account the individual.  It can soothe a fan’s feelings, but it’s still Gus’ (and Auburn’s) issue to deal with.

If Auburn and Gus parts ways, it should be because of Gus’ performance. Not some speculation as to his mental state.

Rereading the OP, I now see what you're saying. I agree. The presence or absence of this condition should not influence any decisions about retaining or terminating Gus. 

[boomstick 1,315]

55 minutes ago, SKIPPER_01 said:

Agree with all of this.

Who signed this stupid contract?

Steven Leath, with support of a few influential boosters (although other influential boosters were adamant that Leath shouldn't be the one handling this negotiation because of his lack of experience in this particular realm). Honestly, Gus took Auburn Athletics at its absolute most vulnerable time, and that, more than anything, is what gets me heated about this deal. 

[chimes 442]

14 minutes ago, TigerFanAU said:

I agree with all of this, but it doesn't explain why he won't adapt or change. If anyone has ever been in charge of a group of people or a team, then you know how tough leadership is, and you're ALWAYS looking for new ideas. Something new and fresh. 

Completely agree. Effective leadership is HARD. Even when you’re successful, good leaders are always trying to adapt and stay ahead of the competition. Complacent, stagnant leaders often get surpassed pretty quickly. 

[AURealist 2,185]

Not a new train of thought.  An allusion to it has been in my sig line for a while now.  It's my personal belief that it is the reason Gus will not adapt his offense as games/seasons progress.  

But the reason he's loath to change things up is not as important as the fact he won't.  He needs to turn the play designs and play calling over to people better able to deal with the game's fluid nature.

[auburnphan 6,050]

15 minutes ago, boomstick said:

Steven Leath, with support of a few influential boosters (although other influential boosters were adamant that Leath shouldn't be the one handling this negotiation because of his lack of experience in this particular realm). Honestly, Gus took Auburn Athletics at its absolute most vulnerable time, and that, more than anything, is what gets me heated about this deal. 

One of Jimmy Sexton's greatest heists,  it will be.

[McLoofus 35,182]

11 minutes ago, chimes said:

Completely agree. Effective leadership is HARD. Even when you’re successful, good leaders are always trying to adapt and stay ahead of the competition. Complacent, stagnant leaders often get surpassed pretty quickly. 

Gus is the Kodak of CFB coaches. 

Film is just as good as digital if the print shop just executes. 

[boomstick 1,315]

1 minute ago, auburnphan said:

One of Jimmy Sexton's greatest heists,  it will be.

Yep. If some people are to be believed though, Sexton warned Gus of the potential blowback when things didn't go well should he take Auburn for everything he could get. I know Sexton is about the best contract for his clients every time, but I bet Sexton would've also preferred a situation where Gus could survive and get through a setback or two. This contract and the way it played out seems to have eliminated those other options.