reputation that attracts good recruits who, in turn, ensure the maintenance of your reputation.
BYU had it to a degree with QBs back in the day, which is what drew Detmer, Walsh, Sarkisian, and others to Provo. Utah had it in basketball under Majerus with post players.
However, even with the advantage the reputation gives to recruiting, you'll find many more failures than successes in those programs at those positions. This, however, is lost on the recruits.