Former Central High School and Auburn University football athlete Jonathon Wallace is in the process of making a transition from player to coach. Wallace is a graduate assistant coach for the Auburn Tigers and now moves from playing under the direction of Auburn’s Gus Malzahn to becoming part of the head football coach’s staff. There are big changes that come with the move, but Wallace says Malzahn has a singular piece of advice that fits no matter what role you have in life.
“One thing coach Malzahn has taught me is to use my influence in a positive way,” Wallace said.
Wallace made the statement in his introduction of Gus Malzahn at the West Central Georgia Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spring Banquet in April. Malzahn was the guest speaker for the event, which was held in Columbus.
In his comments before introducing Malzahn, Wallace stated how important the FCA is to young athletes looking for a place to belong. He said it is difficult to be without the influence of parents when entering college for the first time and that FCA meets many needs.
Following Wallace’s introduction of Malzahn to the crowd of FCA supporters, many of which were Auburn fans, Malzahn in turn called Wallace an up and coming “rock star” in coaching. Then the head football coach for Auburn University gave a run-down of how he came to be the leader of one of the top-rated football programs in the country while also outlining his growth in his faith.
His first coaching gig was in Hughes, Arkansas, at a local high school which led to other stints as a coach at a few other high schools. Malzahn told his audience he “got saved at 13,” but in 1994 the Lord began dealing with him about his coaching style and influence on those around him. He rededicated his life to the Lord at that point and looks back on that time as a place in his life where he and his family grew more mature spiritually.
Later, with two college coaching positions listed on his resume, Malzahn moved to Auburn in 2009 to become Offensive Coordinator. He got a quick response from the crowd when he dropped the name Cam Newton as being one of the players he coached during that time. In 2012, Malzahn left Auburn to become head football coach at Arkansas State. Within months of that move, his dream job opened up at Auburn, and he returned in 2013 to take over the helm of the Tigers’ football program.
Malzahn shared with the audience some of his off-the-field accomplishments since he became Auburn’s head football coach. He attributes FCA and a great coaching staff for much of the success.
“This staff prays together,” Malzahn said. “The FCA meets regularly with players. It is a very healthy program, and it just feels like everything is lining up.”
Closing his remarks, Malzahn offered a list of challenges for those in attendance. First, use your influence in a positive way. Second, ask if I am using this for His Kingdom. And third, start each day off with prayer.
He also made a personal plea for the work being done by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“Support FCA,” Malzahn said. “It is one of the few things left we can still do. It has made a huge impact.”
Other highlights of the night included the naming of the local FCA Athletes of the Year. Jack Hester of St. Luke was Christian Middle School Athlete, and Graham Durham of Harris County High School was the Christian High School Athlete. Columbus State University baseball player Caleb Kutsche was named the Christian College Athlete of the Year.
Lindsay Johnson, Northside High School head volleyball coach, was named Female FCA Coach of the Year, and Brian Osborne, Calvary Christian School’s athletic director and head football coach, was named FCA Male Coach of the Year. The award for Huddle of the Year went to the FCA of Columbus State University.
Columbus Valley/June 2016
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet
Gus Malzahn, Guest Speaker
Columbus, GA
Written By Beth Welch
