Auburn gives Malzahn extension, pay raise

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn walks on the field during practice ahead of Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship college football game against Missouri, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn walks on the field during practice ahead of Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship college football game against Missouri, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has given football coach Gus Malzahn a new six-year contract worth $3.85 million annually.

Athletic director Jay Jacobs announced the first-year coach's new deal Friday, the eve of the third-ranked Tigers' game against No. 5 Missouri for the Southeastern Conference championship in Atlanta.

Malzahn, a Fort Smith native and high school coaching legend in Arkansas, has led Auburn to an 11-1 season after taking over a team that won three games and lost all eight SEC contests in 2012.

Jacobs said, "we want coach Malzahn to be at Auburn for a long time."

Auburn hired Malzahn last December and gave him a five-year contract worth $2.3 million annually.

The new deal includes a $250,000 raise each year.

Auburn is in line to play in the Sugar Bowl and possibly for a national championship with a win over Missouri. The Tigers upset No. 1 Alabama last weekend.

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