re: 2022 Fall Camp Discussion Thread- Retired

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I’m not on board with firing the HC year 1. I’m probably willing to give him year 3 unless he just goes completely in the shitter. But I’m also looking at what he’s done so far.

-Recruiting has sucked. Plain and simple. We can continue to make excuses but it’s just a fact. You have a shorter leash when you can’t recruit because then you’re dragging down the next coach with you.

-Good start to the season. Some refreshing things on the field (I.e. pulling Bo when he wasn’t doing anything but them sticking with him after, 1 on 1 in practice, going toe to toe with Bama even on the tail end of a losing streak, actually winning in Baton Rouge)

-Horrible finish. No way we should’ve ever lost the MSU game. Have to close out the Iron Bowl with how it played out. Bowl game was garbage.

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I agree with most all of this, but I have a question on the recruiting. I feel like for the most part, Gus' recruiting is praised here. We were consistently around the top 10 and top 5 in the SEC. But how many players transferred out, had off the field issues, or busted completely? I know some of that is expected, but I think there was a clear issue with Gus recruiting guys that were either over ranked due to pure athleticism, or guys that had the talent but weren't willing to put in the effort to get better or stay out of trouble. Add to that the development issues I think we all admit to under Gus, and I think it is fair to say that the end result of Gus' recruiting classes weren't as high as the rankings ever suggested.

With all that said, why wouldn't it be possible to replicate that talent, but by taking a different approach? If we get more players that are bought into the program and are willing to work hard and stay out of trouble, hopefully we have less turnover and transfers. If we do a better job evaluating players, maybe we end up with less bust and more guys outperforming their rankings. Add in player development and we could have a roster that outperforms the general ranking. We would never know that without giving the coach at least a few years to build up the program.

Of course it would be easier to just have a flood of 5 stars and top 5 recruiting classes, but that was never going to be easy at Auburn. Either way, I hope we prove some people wrong this year. There is still plenty of talent on this team, and we were off too a fine start in the first year under Harsin, until Bo got injured and the awful collapse to end the season. Hope we take a big step in the right direction this year, and I'm sure recruiting will follow.