I am not great at interviewing. I don’t have much experience and I am a slave to pre-written lists of questions. Often, when transcribing interviews, I think, “Ben, you’re an idiot. Why didn’t you ask him/her [blatantly obvious question]?”
So it went with Gus Malzahn.
During our 17 minute phone interview I was unable to breach the invisible barrier between random college kid writing for the campus newspaper and intense and private coach who drinks eight cups of coffee a day and listens to Top 40 Christian music. Things stayed impersonal, no matter how many “Do you listen to the Wu-Tang Clan?” and “What is your power animal?” type questions I asked.
Not to say Gus (first name basis) was unhelpful. Far from it. He answered every question I asked and would’ve probably talked to me for another 15-20 minutes.
But I ran out of questions and my mind froze. It’s like talking to a beautiful woman — as soon as you walk away, every clever, witty, and funny thought you’ve ever had comes rushing forth.
So I guess I am apologizing. This was a grand opportunity. And I (kinda) blew it. I got my story for The Plainsman. You can read it here. It’s a short profile piece and if you’re a serious Auburn fan you probably already know everything it presents. Regardless, support The Plainsman by clicking on the link; it’s an Auburn tradition. [Ed. – and support TWER by buying this Simply Amalzahn shirt]
But I could have asked deeper and more probing questions and gotten a better feel for who Gus Malzahn is as a person, father, coach, man. Maybe there will be a next time.
Here’s the stuff that didn’t make it into The Plainsman article.
Could your offense work in the NFL?
“Well, I think as long as you can run the football, and also throw it if you’re a balanced offense; it’s about executing. So there’s no doubt. The SEC is just a level right below the NFL. I believe that if something can be successful in the SEC, it can be successful in the NFL.”
Are you pleased with this recruiting class?
“Definitely. We definitely took care of some needs we had. Depth was an issue last year. But we feel like we got some real quality people. Not just big-time players, but quality people — the type of character that Coach Chizik expects. We got lineman. We addressed that need. We needed more depth on the line. And of course, Cameron Newton the quarterback and Michael Dyer the top running back in the country. Then, of course, you look at our receivers. Coach Taylor’s got some receivers that he feels very good about. It was overall a success from our side of the football we felt like.”
Sideline coaching vs. coaching from the pressbox?
“I’ve been coaching from the sideline for 20 years. That’s where I feel very comfortable. I like looking those players in the eyes, getting a feel for how they’re feeling. That’s just what I’m comfortable with.”
Cameron Newton?
“We can’t watch them workout now until we get to spring practice, but I do know a lot about him from recruiting him and watching him in junior college and even watching him at Florida. He is a big physical guy. He can do a lot of different things. It’s just going to be a matter of how quick he can pick up the offense.”
Tyrik Rollinsons’ status?
“He’s working on that.” [pauses, stops himself from saying something else] “Yeah, he’s working on that.”
Did you do well in school?
“Yes, in high school I did. In college, I finished strong. Put it that way.”
Do you listen to much rap music?
“Really the only rap I listen to is in the locker room before the game. That’s cause I have to.”
Do you know who the Wu-Tang Clan is?
“Say that again?”
The Wu-Tang Clan?
“I have no idea.”
What’s your power animal?
“Power animal?”
If you had to be an animal what animal would you be?
[Laughs.] “I don’t have a clue.”
Maybe something fast? Like a cheetah?
“It makes no difference.”
What offensive statistic do you measure success by?
“Points.”
Besides points?
[Laughs.] “Turnovers, lack of turnovers.”
Is that something you stressed last year?
“No doubt.”
Were you pleased with the way Chris Todd played?
“Tell you what, coming into a new system with new coaches, I felt like he did a very good job. And he did a very good job overall protecting the football. He had one of the highest in the league, if not the highest, touchdown/ interception ratio.”
Did you teach him the pump-fake?
“He was already pretty good with the pump-fake. The only thing I had to get onto with the pump-fake is he wouldn’t keep two hands on the ball. When he did it, he liked to do it with one hand. He’s pretty natural.”
Were you surprised by the play of Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery?
“We know in the spring when we got here both those guys had the chance to be very good. They’re both great competitors. They both take coaching. They’re both tough, physically and mentally tough. They believed in what we were doing. I really think both those guys will be better next year.”
What’s your favorite play to call?
“I like a lot of them. I love running the power. That’s a downhill play. That’s probably my favorite play. But probably the best play to call is the victory play at the end of a game.”
Do you have a good relationship with Huston Nutt?
“I don’t get a chance to talk to him much.”
What’s your role in recruiting?
“Our approach is a team recruiting effort. I definitely like to recruit our main offensive guys. This year our offensive staff did a lot of team recruiting. I think that’s what gives us an advantage. I really enjoy it. We’ve got a great product to sell. We’ve got a great head coach to sell.”
What’s your favorite Star Wars movie?
“I think the only one I’ve watched is the first one. I really enjoyed that one.” [said in a way that makes me believe he didn’t enjoy it at all]
Do you promise to stay at least two more seasons?
“That is the plan.”
No promises though?
[Laughs.] “That’s the plan.”
Ben writes The Win Column, among other things. He is a student at Auburn University. Most of his time is spent doing as little as possible, eating and controlling manageable vices. He will one day graduate with a degree in journalism and maybe find a job. Fingers crossed. Write to him at [email protected].
Even for a college kid, this is clearly one of the most unprofessional interviews I have ever seen. One of the most intriguing coaches in the college game gives you his time, and this is what you did with it?? Your bio says you “hope” to graduate with a degree in journalism. If this interview is indicative of your progress, you should seriously consider changing majors before it’s too late. Should you be fortunate enough to actually earn a living as a writer, you should keep a copy of this interview as a reminder of how to not waste opportunities when they come your way.
Disagree…seems to be a pretty good interview. The only way to get anything new from Malzahn that hasn’t been repeated in the media constantly is to ask him quirky questions like some of the ones above…if anything I would’ve liked to see more of the quirky questions, maybe some where Malzahn is more likely to know the context.
Yo BW,
Chill. If you had some specific probing question, perhaps you should have submitted it when asked. If you’d like to provide some genuine constructive criticism, Ben’s email is just a few clicks away and I’m sure he’d welcome the input. However, if you’d just like to complain, please go do it somewhere else.
Ben,
Not sure where you were going with the Wu-Tang Clan questions (who doesn’t like a little Poppa Wu?) but I love the Power Animal question. Didn’t work out this time but you never know what insight you might gain unless you ask the question. Thanks for sharing the stuff that didn’t make the cut.
It’s tough to interview a coach like Malzhahn, when you’re not asking the same questions every other journalist has asked him over the last few years, and still make it interesting. Obviously, that’s what they tried here, with mixed results. It sounds like Malzahn isn’t the type of guy who thinks about power animals and hip hop. Most of the other questions were pretty good, though. The NFL question, and the favorite play question, for example.
BW, something tells me you’re not a journalist. Am I right?
THAT is my favorite photo illustration on the site so far this year. Wu! Tang! Wu! Tang!
whoa BW take a Midol. besides, this is what didn’t make the actual article, these are the deleted scenes.
Good interview. A nice attempt to explore the human side of the guy.
I’d have liked to see this stuff in The Plainsman instead of what was there.
Gus has always struck me as an ODB fan.
Yeah, I realize that’s the stuff that didn’t make it into the article–I can read. My point is, you have the author of the article explicitly stating that he “would’ve probably talked to me for another 15-20 minutes”. Therein lies two issues. First, you waste the time you did get asking questions that, even if he tried to answer, add nothing to the article. Is anyone really walking around campus pondering Gus’ thoughts on power animals or Star Wars? Really? And second, you have a “mindfreeze” that suggests not being fully prepared for the occasion when you do get more time.
But I’ll digress as I admit that a student writer should have some latitude and writing for the Plainsman should be an educational medium where those who hope to make a career journalism can explore their style and find what works for them. On that level, I’ll give some slack. But at the same time, criticism teaches us as much as credit. If you want to write professionally, ya better be ready for both.
Yes, BW. I understand what you are saying. If you read closely in the opening couple of paragraphs, you will (would/ should) realize I wanted to ask Malzahn all kinds of interesting questions. In fact, I was coming up with questions when he called me at 3:30 on a Thursday afternoon. I ran out of time/ ideas. As I said, I’m not the most experienced interviewer. No excuses, but it happened. I tried to make it clear with that opener.
The fluff questions were for a 10 question Q&A. That was literally my job — ask Gus Malzahn 10+ random questions for an info box. Those questions can only (I think) be found in the paper copy.
Those are some of the things I wanted to know about Gus. Maybe that’s not what you wanted to know. That’s fine. I was trying to not ask him the same stale and tired questions he gets asked by every beat writer. Maybe I failed. Oh well. Next time.
(To be clear and honest, I don’t really give a damn what you personally wanted to know.)
Man, I read your first three paragraphs and was starting to have a change of heart. Then I read the last sentence…and now I’m wondering if the Plainsman is getting ready to give us another Selena Roberts.
Yeah, that was a bit harsh. But the sentiment remains. I can’t write with anything approaching ummph if I’m worried what some dude (lady?) named BW is going to think.
I do (actually) appreciate the criticism. In the future I will try to be more prepared and thorough.
What exactly is “ummph” and why do I never hear Rick Reilly, Bob Ryan, Jason Whitlock, etc. refer to their goal of achieving “ummph”??
Personally, I think “ummph” is what people strive for when they know they don’t have the capacity to perform in the upper levels of their chosen industry. “Hey, if I can’t be one of the best, I need to find a way to pander to some small audience so I can get a few crumbs for myself”.
BW,
Back off, dude. If you read this site regularly, you’d know Ben has a refreshing writing and interviewing style. He’s good, as good as just about any student writer you’ll read. What are you strivng for by bashing a talented kid who’s writing for free?
I actually liked the stuff not published better than the actual article. I would not have asked about animals, but Coach Gus’s response made me laugh. Also, there was really good insight to the Chris Todd and Cam Newton questions, plus some confirmation to my theory that Chizik asked for assurances Malzahn would stay a certain length of time. That appears “to be the plan.” I would say there was a good nugget there other reporters might have missed!
I was say it was a very good interview, besides, a couple of “power animal” type questions keeps someone off guard, a bit like Malzhan’s offense. Sometimes you run the reverse to score a long TD, sometimes just to keep the defense honest! 🙂
Thanks, CD.
“[W]hy do I never hear Rick Reilly, Bob Ryan, Jason Whitlock, etc. refer to their goal of achieving “ummph”??”
I’m glad they don’t. I have no desire to write like any of those people.
I’d as soon have a bright light shined in my eyes as read or listen to Rick Reilly.
We’re putting up Jason Whitlock as a beacon of professionalism in journalism?
The same Jason Whitlock that, in the wake of Steve McNair’s death wrote, “Every man I know has a little Captain in him. We see a pretty young thang working her way through nursing or cosmetology school and it’s just in our nature to pay a cellphone bill, a car note or get her nails done.”
YES! Let’s have more journalists like HIM.
Yeah, I specifically included Whitlock on that list for a reason. Whitlock may be controversial at times, but when he ventures off the beaten path, he knows the difference between what is interesting and what is adolescent silly.
CD, you can knock Reilly all you want, but deep down you’d be happy to have a fraction of his journalistic talent.
I’m starting to think BW tried to get a gig at The Plainsman but was turned down.
It’s uncanny, BW, that you know my innermost desires even though you’ve never met me. Anyway, Reilly is extremely successful, no doubt, but I’m not a big fan. Nick Saban, Celine Deon and Dane Cook are highly successful. I don’t like them, either.
Ben’s piece on David Housel made the most recent issue of Auburn Magazine.
Apparently some Auburn alumnus appreciates writing that is nothing like Rick Reilly, Bob Ryan, or the incredibly mature and always on point Jason Whitlock.
Seriously though, congratulations Ben.
Thanks much, John.
@ BW: In the future, please write and submit your own stinking articles to the Plainsman for critical review. I thought the article was fairly clever, in spite of your ranting. But good luck in your journalistic career, if you have one.