Malzahn hiring Morris as offensive coordinator one way to land QB

Gus Malzahn’s hiring of former Arkansas coach Chad Morris is one way Auburn can land a four-star quarterback.

Morris, who went 4-18 with the Razorbacks before getting fired with two games left in his second season, will be replacing Kenny Dillingham, who left to join Mike Norvell’s first staff at Florida State.

Morris was on Auburn’s campus with his son, Chandler, during the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30.

Chandler Morris is a 4-star quarterback prospect in the class of 2020, and is considering Auburn, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and others. He was previously committed to Arkansas before his father was fired in November.

Chad Morris had said before Chandler committed to the Hogs “he’s the only recruit that I can buy a car for him and his mother.”

Relax, it’s within the rules. Quite frankly if there are any other potential coaches with kids that are four-star recruits, newly-hired Hogs’ coach Sam Pittman should lock them down right now.

They have been close friends since their days coaching high school football (Morris in Texas and Malzahn in Arkansas). Morris adopted and adapted Malzahn’s offense in 2004 after the two met and shared ideas for nearly a week at Springdale High in Arkansas.

One thing it will do is likely mitigate some of Arkansas’ buyout to Morris. The last time he was a coordinator he was pulling down $1.3 million a year at Clemson. Considering that school is pretty much Auburn with a lake, the Tigers may be a little above that which could reduce the $2.45 million a year buyout he’s getting here.

But he will likely more than former coach Bret Bielema claims to be making coaching the defensive line for the New England Patriots.