According to Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton, Vols OC David Cutcliffe has not been contacted by any schools in regards to a head coaching vacancy. Cutcliffe, who coached Eli Manning and Deuce McAllister during his six full seasons at Ole Miss (44-29 record), had been mentioned by some as candidate for the job.
There are some concerns, however about Cutcliffe's health—he left an assistant job at Notre Dame in 2005 and spent a year out of coaching after undergoing a triple bypass in 2005. Ironically, his leave of absence at Notre Dame provided a job opportunity for Duke OC Peter Vaas, who filled Cutcliffe's former position as the Fighting Irish's QBs Coach.
UPDATE (12/4): Cutcliffe told the N&O that he wants to get back into head coaching and that he'd be receptive to such an offer.
Monday, December 3, 2007
10 Reasons why Johnson Could be Tempted by Duke
David Ausiello at Navy fansite GoMids.com has an excellent article up that details at length 10 Reasons Why Paul Johnson Might be Tempted by Duke and its opening. It's an interesting evaluation from an outside fan perspective about the Duke opening and what makes it attractive, and it's absolutely worth a read.
Hatcher now a GTech Target
Georgia Southern HC Chris Hatcher has interviewed in Atlanta for the opening at Georgia Tech, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Hatcher, who runs Division 1-AA's most prolific (326 ypg) rushing offense, is the type of offensive-minded coach that Joe Alleva is looking for, but his lack of D-1 experience might be a negative.
I personally spoke with Hatcher last week for The Chronicle, and he told me that no one from Duke had contacted him about the opening. With interest heating up, it might be a good idea for Alleva to at least inquire about Hatcher's services.
Hatcher, who runs Division 1-AA's most prolific (326 ypg) rushing offense, is the type of offensive-minded coach that Joe Alleva is looking for, but his lack of D-1 experience might be a negative.
I personally spoke with Hatcher last week for The Chronicle, and he told me that no one from Duke had contacted him about the opening. With interest heating up, it might be a good idea for Alleva to at least inquire about Hatcher's services.
David Glenn Update on Johnson, Broadway
David Glenn shared some new news on his blog, confirming that Georgia Tech is now in the hunt for Navy HC Paul Johnson, along with Duke and SMU. The entry says that meetings between Johnson and officials from each of the schools are forthcoming.
Also, Glenn added that former NCCU HC and current Grambling HC Rod Broadway will speak with Duke officials this week about the vacancy.
Last week, however, a source close to the Grambling football program told us that Broadway had no intentions of leaving his current job, so it remains to be seen if Broadway will develop into an actual candidate or not. At this point, he probably is on the school's secondary list, with guys like Paul Johnson, Steve Logan and Skip Holtz the primary targets.
Also, Glenn added that former NCCU HC and current Grambling HC Rod Broadway will speak with Duke officials this week about the vacancy.
Last week, however, a source close to the Grambling football program told us that Broadway had no intentions of leaving his current job, so it remains to be seen if Broadway will develop into an actual candidate or not. At this point, he probably is on the school's secondary list, with guys like Paul Johnson, Steve Logan and Skip Holtz the primary targets.
Karl Dorrell out at UCLA
Sources tell the San Francisco Chronicle that Karl Dorrell will be fired from the HC job at UCLA. Although their list of candidates (Texas Tech HC Mike Leach, Steve Mariucci) doesn't seem to have much overlap with Duke's, there could be some impact on Duke's search if their list expands.
No One's Spoken Yet to Johnson
According to this report in the Dallas Morning News, no school has yet contacted Navy to seek permission to speak with current Middies HC Paul Johnson.
Johnson's Atlanta-based agent, Jack Reale, declined comment on the situation, but the report also indicates that the coach met with Reale Sunday in Atlanta to discuss his options.
If this is the case, it's an interesting development, considering that some reports have indicated that SMU has had a 1.2-1.5 mil contract offer on the table for weeks.
Johnson's Atlanta-based agent, Jack Reale, declined comment on the situation, but the report also indicates that the coach met with Reale Sunday in Atlanta to discuss his options.
If this is the case, it's an interesting development, considering that some reports have indicated that SMU has had a 1.2-1.5 mil contract offer on the table for weeks.
Tyrone Willingham a Possibility
With a 4-9 record this season, Washington HC Tyrone Willingham is under fire and may lose his job at UW. Willingham has a $3mil buyout, meaning that it would be virtually impossible for Duke to sign him away from the Huskies if he remains under contract. But if he is fired, Duke should be knocking at his door to try persuade him to take over the reigns of the football program.
I've long maintained that Willingham would be a great fit for Duke. He's had success at academic institutions like Stanford and Notre Dame, is from the area (he grew up in Kinston) and would also be Duke's first African-American head coach in any sport.
I'm sure that Joe Alleva is monitoring the goings-on in Seattle, and although I'm not sure that an available Willingham would trump a Paul Johnson hire, it would be wise to keep an eye on Willingham's situation over the next few days.
I've long maintained that Willingham would be a great fit for Duke. He's had success at academic institutions like Stanford and Notre Dame, is from the area (he grew up in Kinston) and would also be Duke's first African-American head coach in any sport.
I'm sure that Joe Alleva is monitoring the goings-on in Seattle, and although I'm not sure that an available Willingham would trump a Paul Johnson hire, it would be wise to keep an eye on Willingham's situation over the next few days.
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