AUBURN AUTHORITY

Bret Bielema sends congratulatory text message to Gus Malzahn

James Crepea

Montgomery Advertiser

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema shakes the hand of Auburn coach Gus Malzahn before the start of their game in August.

AUBURN -- They may be SEC coaching rivals with wildly different offensive philosophies, but Bret Bielema is still willing to reach out to Gus Malzahn.

Bielema, who served as co-offensive coordinator under coach Bill Snyder in 2002-03, sent Malzahn a congratulatory text message following Auburn's 20-14 win at Kansas State last Thursday.

"I coached at Kansas State so I appreciate how difficult an environment (it is to play in)," Bielema said. "Some of you may faint, I shot Gus a congrats text and just said hey I know how tough that place is, congrats."

The dueling approaches to the game, especially in regard to up-tempo offenses, of Malzahn and Bielema became the focal points of a national debate amid the controversial 10-second rule proposal this past off-season. They still won't be "breaking bread" anytime soon, but Bielema and Malzahn have reiterated their mutual respect for each other.

"There's a respect in this league that you really truly don't understand until you're involved in it," Bielema said. "I truly understand a lot more this year that I did last year."