Call him what you want: family man, Auburn man, a winner or even a loser, if you don't cheer for the Auburn Tigers.
But one thing cannot be denied about Coach Gus Malzahn -- he is a man of second chances.
While many people wonder why Malzahn continues to give players second chances, the answer is simple.
It seems to have worked out for Malzahn as a coach so far, as well as for the players.
It started in 2010 when a kid by the name of Cam Newton transferred to Auburn University from Blinn Junior College in Texas.
But that's not where the real story begins. Newton and Malzahn's connection began after Newton allegedly stole a laptop while attending the University of Florida.
Months later, it was uncovered Newton had allegedly violated the honor code as a freshmen by cheating in class.
Yes, the same football player who left Florida after allegedly stealing a laptop came to Auburn, where he was later named the Heisman Trophy winner -- the player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.
Fast forward to 2013, Malzahn's first season as the head football coach at Auburn.
A young man by the name of Nick Marshall was dismissed from the University of Georgia for allegedly stealing from a teammate.
In an instant, Marshall's career looked as though it was over.
However, a little help from Coach Malzahn got Marshall back on his feet faster than ever, literally.
Marshall took the job as Auburn's starting quarterback where he also thrived, leading the team to within 13 seconds of the school's third national football title and leaving his name in the Heisman mix for the upcoming season.
Many people online have called Auburn a classless program, but what is classless about giving a kid a second chance and watching him succeed and become a role model?
Nothing, nothing at all.
Every time Malzahn decides to give a future to a player with a sordid past, he sticks his neck out and takes the risk.
He puts his own reputation and the University's on the line.
Malzahn has enough confidence in his program and coaching staff to ignore the potential backfire with his players' reputation.
If Malzahn ignored Marshall and Newton, the odds of them becoming successful role models would have been low, which points the finger at an issue with today's society.
The trouble with today's society is not enough youth are given a second chance.
I understand life is not fair and not everyone gets a second chance, but throwing a kid in jail only makes his or her behavior worse.
Removing Newton and Marshall from football, the game they loved, for minor hiccups when they were younger would have only created more unsuccessful members of society.
Auburn has only had three football players arrested since Malzahn arrived in Auburn in December of 2012.
So I'll agree with Father Flanagan, whose core belief was "there are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking."
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