ROGERS - Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will never forget where and how he got his start as a football coach.
"I'm an Arkansas high school football coach," Malzahn said before a packed crowd Thursday at The Summit luncheon at the Church at Pinnacle Hills. "I just happen to be coaching in college."
Malzahn, the former Springdale head coach and offensive coordinator at Arkansas and Tulsa, was the featured speaker at the event and was greeted warmly by the crowd.
"It feels great to be back," Malzahn said as he and Church at Pinnacle Hills pastor Ronnie Floyd engaged in a Q&A session that discusses Malzahn's past, current and future career as a college coach.
Afterward, Malzahn was engulfed by fans seeking autographs and to offer handshakes and hugs, showing their appreciation to a former local high school coach that has risen through the ranks of his profession.
"First of all I'm very blessed," Malzahn said. "I've been fortunate to develop a lot of great relationships. A lot of these people are my personal friends. It's good to come back and see people you're familiar with. It's pretty special."
Malzahn's career has been a whirlwind ever since leading Springdale High to an undefeated and unchallenged 2005 state championship run. He was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2006 but left the Razorbacks amid controversy regarding former head coach Houston Nutt. Malzahn landed at Tulsa for two seasons as cooffensive coordinator and helped the Golden Hurricane become the topranked offense in the nation behind his hurry-up no-huddle scheme.
Malzahn accepted the offensive coordinator position at Auburn after Gene Chizik was hired to replace head coach Tommy Tuberville.
At Auburn, he'll have a couple of northwest Arkansas' finest football players to work with in Fort Smith Northside quarterback Kodi Burns and Rogers offensive lineman Lee Ziemba.
Malzahn recruited both while at Arkansas but Ziemba and Burns signed with Auburn in February 2007. Malzahn is looking forward to getting the chance to coach them at Auburn.
"Recruited (Ziemba) when I was at Arkansas," Malzahn said. "Developed great relations. He's got a great family. That was a real highlight for me when I got the job at Auburn, to be able to coach him.
"Kodi's the same deal. We're from the same hometown (Fort Smith). Got a chance to coach against him. Know his family real well. That was a real plus, too."
Malzahn said he thought Ziemba has the talent to become an All-American at his position.
Floyd asked Malzahn during the Q&A if Burns would start at quarterback for Auburn after struggling at the position during last season. Malzahn didn't give a definitive answer but when asked by media later he said Burns is "familiar with what we're going to do. I think he's familiar with me. I know he's capable of being a very good quarterback.
"He's had three coordinators in two years and that's tough on any quarterback. I know he's ready for some stability. I know he's capable of doing a very good job."
Malzahn also spoke fondly of Bentonville head football coach Barry Lunney.
Lunney is one of the two coaches Malzahn mentioned as men who he considered role models. Former Barton head coach Frank McClellan was the other.
"Coach Lunney didn't dip, didn't cuss his players and he was very professional," Malzahn said of his first meeting with Lunney. "I said to myself, boy that's what I'd like to be like."
Malzahn said he kept up with the Tigers last fall as Bentonville went 12-1 and won the Class 7A state football championship.
"Yeah I sure did," he said. "Of course (Bentonville linebackers coach) Rob Coleman is one of my best friends in the world. I get a chance to call coach Lunney from time to time. Of course I recruit this area, too."
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