I think Gus is exactly what Auburn Football needs to compete vs. Saban. Today! (This job changes people/coaches. See Gene Chizik for reference)
I think Malzahn has all the positive traits that make Saban a great coach, and none of the personality traits that make Saban the asshole he is. I think Malzahn is a good coach (can't call him great yet). He knows football, and football players. He's no-nonsense. He's a good man too.
I'm ready for this new era.
That said, Malzahn will be under fire by mid season. We're not going to be good. I believe we'll be better in terms of attitude, and conditioning, but the talent gap is just too great overall, and the lack of a QB will be a glaring weakness. Malzahn will be blamed for not "coaching one up". The Defense will suck, and blame will go to the "HUNH" not being conducive to defense, and Malzahn will be blamed for "not changing what he does to suit what he has".
All fine, it comes with the job.
I think as ugly as it will be this year, and I think it will be very ugly...that Gus arrived at just the right time. He'll get 3-4 years he needs, and I think that during that time the power will begin to shift away from Bammer and LSU. It simply has to. Gus and Auburn will be poised to, and will take back the SECW.
Unless he doesn't.