Players are important, obviously. Teams, too. But success in any sports franchise, collegiate or professional, starts with the organization.
The organization encompasses everything from coaching, personnel and culture. It is HOW things are done. WHY they’re done that way. And everyone understands the mission.
There is no better example that the Atlanta Braves in major league baseball.
They lost their best player – Freddie Freeman – two years ago. They lost their All-Star shortstop – Dansby Swanson – last year.