Is there any more interesting test case in the importance of strong coordinators than this year’s Auburn team?

It’s ironic as well, considering one of the nation’s best defensive coordinators failed in his first big-time head coaching opportunity, and now he’s trying to help one of the nation’s best offensive coordinators avoid a similar fate as a head coach.

There have been some bumps, and perhaps overinflated value in the first season, but the Gus Malzahn era clearly has the Tigers program pointed in a good direction. The rest of the SEC by far is more concerned with competing with this Auburn era both in recruiting and on the field than it was during the previous one, which only got as much time as it did because of Malzahn and Cam Newton.

Auburn is not a Top 10 program historically, but it probably is a Top 20 program. Right now, it looks as though the Tigers are in position to perform at or above expectations every season for years to come. Are we about to witness a glory years era in Auburn history?

Let’s take a look at the State of the Union, taking into account the last three years and expectations for 2015.

ON-FIELD PERFORMANCE

SEC standing: Middle of the pack

Grade: B-

Keep in mind this is a three-year grade that also factors in the prognosis for 2015.

Auburn has been in an extreme state of fluctuation on the field the last three years. The team’s SEC record in ’12, ’13 and ’14: 0-8, 7-1 (with a championship), 4-4.

The offense has taken a quantum leap forward in two years under coach Gus Malzahn and seems poised to continue for years to come. It bolstered the Tigers to an SEC championship and BCS title appearance in 2013, just one season after a winless SEC slate that jettisoned former coach Gene Chizik.

But the defense has lagged, spoiling a strong potential season last year. Now that the team secured former Florida coach Will Muschamp to steer the unit away from the rocks, the Tigers’ program should stabilize to an extent, with .500 SEC play as the basement.

RECRUITING

SEC standing: Easily inside the top third

2015 rank: 9

Grade: A

The Tigers have netted consecutive Top 10 recruiting classes under Malzahn. Even during the coaching transition, the team never fell out of the Top 15. Auburn has been grabbing some of the nation’s best talent on both sides of the football, and that’s including some touted in-state signees.

Auburn has held its own despite sharing a state with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting program, not to mention geographical battles with Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. It’s one of the most difficult geographical areas, kind of like getting pinned in by jerks on the Price Is Right with opening bids within one penny on either side.

But despite that, the Tigers easily are one of the 10 best programs nationally in recruiting the last few years. The program also seems to land a junior-college transfer who makes a major impact every year.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

SEC standing: Middle of the pack

Grade: B

This is another tough grade. Again, there’s a big split on offense and defense. The running back spot seems to be plug-and-play, as Tre Mason and Cameron Artis-Payne both led the SEC in rushing and now Jovon Robinson has a chance to do something similar. Nick Marshall was a good SEC quarterback, but Jeremy Johnson has a chance to be better. Sammie Coates may be gone, but Duke Williams could be the best NFL prospect at receiver in 2016.

On defense, the team has failed to develop enough pass rushers. Some of the linebackers have been solid, but not All-SEC. The secondary has been mediocre lately.

The team underperformed compared to its talent in ’12, overperformed in ’13 and performed pretty close to its talent last season.

Overall, there are no major issues with talent development, though even the team’s true strength on offense may be more schematic and athletic than in teaching and development.

FACILITIES

SEC standing: Middle of the pack

Grade: B-

The team just announced major facilities upgrades, including a proposed $13.9-million video board that would make it the largest in college football.

The team also is working through plans for larger renovations to Jordan-Hare Stadium, including a new locker room and recruiting lounge beyond the North end zone,  updates to premium seating, amenities and a wider concourse in the grandstands.

It may take until 2018 or so to complete all the upgrades, but once the Tigers do, the team’s football facilities will be at least on par with all but the most exorbitant programs in the conference and nationally. It will help in recruiting starting immediately, and the stadium experience should improve as well.

COACHING

SEC standing: Top third

Grade: B+

Auburn may have one of the best coaching staffs in the country right now with the Malzahn-Muschamp combo. Expect this grade to bump to at least an A- after this season, if not higher.

But the program gets docked a bit here for its three-year history, which includes a sub-standard Chizik staff in ’12 and defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Though proven and competent, Johnson and the defense just didn’t get the job done the last two seasons.

Malzahn is a potential Top 15 coach in college football. This is a swing season for him, though. Continue to hang around at .500 in SEC play and he loses that status. Genuinely compete for another SEC West title in ’15 and he solidifies it.