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Associated Press

Amid the departing draft entries and incoming recruiting classes, the Pac-12's coaches are the constants that keep this conference afloat. With pressure from the SEC and West Coast spotlight to thrive, some staffs hold their own better than others.

It's why USC rushed to hire Steve Sarkisian away from Washington, who laterally snagged Boise State's longtime commodity Chris Petersen. It's why the process of replacing defensive coordinators Derek Mason (Stanford) and Nick Aliotti (Oregon) ceased the breath of the North. It's why the developments of UCLA's Jim Mora and Arizona's Rich Rodriguez staying put are well appreciated by their respective schools.

Coaching matters most in the high-maintenance Pac-12.

What sets the elite staffs apart from the pedestrians? For the sake of this list and ultimate success, cohesion is key.

Which well-fused units master the balance between Hollywood star power and tenured stability? Whose philosophies regularly warrant results in the box scores and standings? What programs are still struggling to fill vacancies?

Let's take a look at our power rankings, ironically minus input from the notorious Coaches Poll.

All statistics are via ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.