re: SEC Football programs that should be winning but can’t find their mojo

In Auburn's case, it was a series of unfortunate events. When Tuberville started getting blown out in recruiting by Saban, they put a guy completely without leverage in the head coach job and surrounded him with street agents to recruit. It worked, briefly. Then came Gus with his flavor-of-the-month spread variety. It worked, briefly. Gus felt his scheme held all the answers to talent gaps. Meanwhile, Saban continued his stranglehold on talent in Alabama, Kirby closed up Georgia, thanks to the worst AD hires in Auburn history, Gus got extended and led to the Harsin experiment and now we have Freeze.

It WAS coaching. In the future, I don't think coaches will matter as much. It's all going to be about year to year money and scouting, which will all likely be handled by off the field positions.