Here's what I don't understand...

[Kaos]

I was listening to one of the babbling heads on the radio a few minutes ago.  I think it was one of the ESPN guys but I'm not sure.  Anyhoo, the gist of the conversation was that whoever comes in at Auburn is facing a lengthy rebuilding process.  "Got to give the guy four or five years to get things straight." 

My question is this:  WHY??

Are all of the following not true:

1) AU was picked to win the West in 2008
2) Prior to the season it was universally acknowledged that AU had equal or better talent than Alabama, LSU, Georgia -- everybody but Florida.
3) All but approximately three starters will return from 2008.
4) Auburn has recruited fairly well over the past three seasons
5) Auburn has had ZERO off-field problems, no academic issues, no division.
6) Auburn has plenty of money for facilities and extras and can continue to attract quality talent (both coaching and players) with the right infusion of energy.
7) The only team in the division with any real legitimacy at the moment is Alabama and the Tide could be right back at square zero next season with a new QB, a bunch of new OL, several new faces on the DL and expectations out the wazoo.  Ole Miss, Arkansas and LSU are not at a zenith and MSU will likely be in the toilet for several years to come.

I can't think of any program in the history of college football any more ready for someone -- the right someone -- to step in and succeed immediately.  Why the fuck should it take anybody four or five years? Auburn is NOT in disarray. In fact, making the move now might have prevented a deep-seated malaise from infecting the program.

Tell me what I'm missing.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

You're not missing anything.  It's the same re-hashed, just got it off the AP wire, no imagination, non factual and sad crap you hear about any kind of coaching change.

Let them think it's a nuts undertaking... It'll just be that much more impressive when we exceed expectations in the end.

[Buzz Killington]

I could honestly see it taking a coach 2 years, but if it takes whomever is hired 5 years to compete...they hired the wrong guy.
I can only see 2 years, because there really still is nobody that you could say won the starting job for next year at QB, although Burns did get better.  I still see a looming QB controversy and probably some growing pains with the OL. 

Of course, if Paul Johnson is hired, all bets are off.  A first year SEC West title is a definite possibility at a minimum.