Texas A&M vs Auburn Football

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn talks to players against Texas A&M Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Gus Malzahn's improbable first-year run as Auburn's head coach in 2013 helped land him on ESPN.com's list of the top coaches under the age of 50.



The list, released Monday, ranks the top 10 coaches who have yet to hit the big 5-0. Malzahn is ranked second behind Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, who knocked off Malzahn in the 2014 BCS National Championship.



ESPN calls Malzahn's drive as a coach "obsessive, in some ways" as he heads into his third season as Auburn's head coach. Malzahn turns 50 on Oct. 28.



"He just might be the current coaching record-holder in film hours logged," according to ESPN Insider. "It feels like Malzahn is just getting started, really."



Malzahn is 29-10 in three seasons as a head coach, including a 20-7 mark in two years leading the Tigers.

If you're wondering, seven coaches in the SEC are under 50.

Auburn's 8-5 finish in 2014 marked only the third time Malzahn has not won or played for a conference title as an assistant or head coach since his college career began in 2006. He has not experienced a losing season as a coach since he was at Hughes (Arkansas) High School in 1993.



Check out ESPN's top 10 list, which includes four SEC coaches, for more.

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