re: Whats holding USCe and A&M Back?

It boils down to "what have you done for me lately?" Consistent coaching, continuity on the staff, recruiting at a high and consistent level, and facilities. As a coach, you can't have some smoke and mirrors. You have to have a philosophy that you believe in and convince your players to buy into that same mindset.

For USCe, they never really had that consistency to Holtz came along. Then Spurrier was that proven name that took it to the next level. Problem was, he got tired and lazy and rested on his laurels of a former Heisman winner, Natty winning coach, QB whisperer.
A&M had been down for a while after Slocum and Sumlin was the hot name over at Houston. He made a big splash with Manziel in '12 and A&M went all in thinking Sumlin was a genius. A&M has the money and facilities second to none, but Sumlin is a smoke and mirrors guy and he is being exposed.