The David Cutcliffe Era will extend into at least a third season after Duke’s head coach rejected overtures from the University of Tennessee near the end of last week and decided to remain with the Blue Devils.
“After much thought and consideration, Karen and I reached the decision that Duke is the place for our family,” Cutcliffe said in a statement. “We have both family members and lifetime friends in the Knoxville community and share a deep respect for the University of Tennessee. Our ties to the school and the Eastern Tennessee area are obvious. But before Tennessee’s hiring process comes to a conclusion, I know that Duke University is where we want to coach.”
The Volunteers have since hired former Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley to fill the vacancy in Knoxville.
Cutcliffe, a former Tennessee assistant, was reported to be in serious talks with the school throughout Thursday and was unavailable for comment at the time, but came out with a statement Friday indicating his intention to continue building the Blue Devil program.
Cutcliffe said he addressed his players Friday morning and informed them of his intention to stay, and at a press conference that afternoon, Duke’s head coach elaborated on his reasons for staying. Some reports suggested that Cutcliffe turned down the Tennessee job because of his loyalty to his assistants; Tennessee may have insisted he leave some of them behind in Durham, and Cutcliffe discussed his loyalty to his fellow coahces and to Duke in general.
“We’re a group,” Cutcliffe said of his relationship with his coaches, players and the Blue Devil program. “We’ve invested a lot in each others’ lives, so wherever we go, we go together.”
Cutcliffe, who arrived in Durham in December 2007, worked at Tennessee for nearly 20 years, giving him an unparalleled familiarity with the institution and football program. After former head coach Lane Kiffin bolted for USC, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun both turned down the job, making Cutcliffe one of the leading candidates.
Had Cutcliffe left, Duke would have had to search for its second coach in three years. Instead, the University can rest easy.
“David Cutcliffe informed us this morning [Friday] that he intends to remain the Duke football coach for a long time,” Duke Vice President & Director of Athletics Kevin White said. “He is a tremendous football coach, and an even better person with a terrific family. Simply put, we could not be happier or more excited about the future of the Blue Devil football program.”
Cutcliffe has compiled a 9-15 record in two seasons at Duke—a record that would not have gone over well in Knoxville, but one that represents a marked improvement at Duke. Cutcliffe took over the Blue Devil program while it languished among the worst in the FBS and has made it competitive in the ACC in his time at the helm.
His decision to turn down Tennessee could also have a major impact on this year’s recruiting class. National Signing Day, the day by which football recruits need to choose which school they plan to attend, is Feb. 3, and had Cutcliffe left, it would have thrown Duke’s recruiting class into disarray. With him in Durham, the Blue Devils can expect to keep all currently committed recruits, although this weekend’s incident involving three freshman football players firing a gun on campus has put a damper on the excitement surrounding Cutcliffe’s decision to stay at Duke.
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