ESPN ranks Alabama No. 2 coaching job in SEC, Auburn No. 6

Although Florida hasn’t won a national championship since 2008, ESPN ranks the Gainesville school as the top coaching job in the SEC, over Alabama, LSU, Auburn and everyone else.

ESPN writer Edward Aschoff’s primary argument is that Florida’s location gives it the edge. The state apparently has enough talent to support the level of football achieved by Florida State, Georgia and the surrounding schools, so even though the Gators have been downtrodden the past five seasons, it is still the best job in the conference.

ESPN says Alabama’s location is the only thing that hurt it in the rankings, saying that Alabama is “a job anyone would want.”

Here’s the full reasoning from ESPN behind Alabama at No. 2:

If not for UF’s location, Alabama would be No. 1. There’s tremendous history with, like, 100 football national championships claimed by the fans. This is a job anyone would want. The facilities are some of the best, and coaches are able to recruit all over the Southeast and beyond with an extraordinary national brand. While expectations are gaudy, there’s tremendous support inside and outside of the program, and there’s no shortage of money for any coach out there.

Auburn is ranked sixth with LSU, Georgia and Texas A&M separating it from Alabama. I guess location is an issue with Auburn as well, with Alabama on the other side of the state not being a distinct advantage either.

Here’s what ESPN says about Auburn:

It isn’t hard to recruit to Auburn and that beautiful campus. Yes, Auburn has to deal with playing second fiddle to Alabama, but getting elite talent on the Plains hasn’t been difficult during Alabama’s reign of terror. Auburn has a lot of tradition, one of the league’s best stadiums and quality facilities. Even with that school in Tuscaloosa, a coach can win championships at Auburn.

If recent history means anything, Alabama and Auburn should be first and second in this ranking. The resources might not be as strong at Auburn as they are elsewhere, and the high school talent level in the state of Alabama may lag behind Louisiana or Florida. But of the SEC’s run of seven consecutive national championships, the final four were won by either Alabama or Auburn. Also, Auburn appeared in the title game two seasons ago against Florida State, and Alabama was the only SEC team in the College Football Playoff last season.

While Florida may be in a great location, it seems that Alabama and Auburn are still in the best position to win in the SEC in 2015.