We haven't really experienced that since the mid to late 1970's and early 80's. I feel like the variables are in place (lack of administrative leadership, lack of vision for what the program should be, etc.) for a sustained period of 5th place SEC West finishes and Independence Bowl berths. Similar to what Tennessee has experienced since 2008.
I can't really put my finger on why I feel this way. It's more of a gut feeling. I think Bryan Harsin is probably a pretty good football coach. I think Auburn has done well enough in keeping its facilities on par with most of the premiere football programs in the country (at least top 15-20 in terms of facilities). And yet, there's just something about this whole experiment (the Harsin experiment) that makes me think it's bound to fail miserably. I don't think Harsin has any idea what he's getting himself into. I'm sure he thinks he knows, but he doesn't. Nothing can prepare him for what he's about to experience.
Who are Harsin's friends going to be when things go badly? And they will go badly, from time to time, with a new coach with zero experience in this conference and what is probably the 6th or 7th best roster in the conference. I personally think they'll be lucky to get to 7-5 this coming season. And that's if Tank stays healthy. It's not hard to envision the wheels coming off early with a key injury or three. Can Harsin weather that kind of storm? Will he be able to make allies as an outsider?
I don't know. I just don't think it's going to work out.
I can't really put my finger on why I feel this way. It's more of a gut feeling. I think Bryan Harsin is probably a pretty good football coach. I think Auburn has done well enough in keeping its facilities on par with most of the premiere football programs in the country (at least top 15-20 in terms of facilities). And yet, there's just something about this whole experiment (the Harsin experiment) that makes me think it's bound to fail miserably. I don't think Harsin has any idea what he's getting himself into. I'm sure he thinks he knows, but he doesn't. Nothing can prepare him for what he's about to experience.
Who are Harsin's friends going to be when things go badly? And they will go badly, from time to time, with a new coach with zero experience in this conference and what is probably the 6th or 7th best roster in the conference. I personally think they'll be lucky to get to 7-5 this coming season. And that's if Tank stays healthy. It's not hard to envision the wheels coming off early with a key injury or three. Can Harsin weather that kind of storm? Will he be able to make allies as an outsider?
I don't know. I just don't think it's going to work out.
