Duke has found its football coach, and I don't think I'd be exaggerating if I said David Cutcliffe made quite an impression at his introductory press conference Saturday evening.
Cutcliffe seems to be the sort of principled, values-based coach that the Duke job demands, and he clearly has a proven offensive track record. Listen to what he has to say for yourself, and I think you'll be impressed, too. Today should be a day of optimism for Duke football fans.
On that note, we'll be signing off here at Roof Replacement Rumors. In a little more than two weeks, we've had 7,500 unique visitors from a majority of the 50 states and places as far away as Austria and Sweden! This modest little blog has been a tremendous success, and we in the Chronicle's sports department hope that you've enjoyed this site and our coverage of the search from our main site as well.
Keep your eyes out for new blog offerings from the Chronicle Sports section in 2008, and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Years!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Early Reaction to Cutcliffe's Hire
Here's some great reaction to the hire in the Knoxville News-Sentinel's from a Tennessee angle. The article says that Cutcliffe is anticipated to stay with the Vols through their bowl game, which is the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1. It also has some great reaction from Tennessee's players about what they learned from their offensive coordinator during his stint as their coach.
The same newspaper also has a great commentary piece by one of their columnists on the hire, citing in particular how Cutcliffe re-instilled discipline into the Vols offense when he became offensive coordinator in late 2005.
Bill Cole's latest in the Winston-Salem Journal confirms the hire of Cutcliffe and has some interesting reaction to it from one of Duke's outstanding commits, Ohio TE Kenny Anunike.
The same newspaper also has a great commentary piece by one of their columnists on the hire, citing in particular how Cutcliffe re-instilled discipline into the Vols offense when he became offensive coordinator in late 2005.
Bill Cole's latest in the Winston-Salem Journal confirms the hire of Cutcliffe and has some interesting reaction to it from one of Duke's outstanding commits, Ohio TE Kenny Anunike.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Its Official: Cutcliffe To Be Introduced Tommorow Afternoon
It's official. This just came into my mailbox...
** MEDIA ADVISORY **
Duke University will hold a press conference on Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m. to announce the hiring of its new football coach.
Check back tomorrow as the day progresses, and after the conference for audio clips from Cutcliffe's introduction.
** MEDIA ADVISORY **
Duke University will hold a press conference on Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m. to announce the hiring of its new football coach.
Check back tomorrow as the day progresses, and after the conference for audio clips from Cutcliffe's introduction.
Alleva: "I'll probably have something for you tommorow"
That's what Duke's AD told reporters with the News & Observer as he was leaving his office at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
And according to the Herald-Sun, that something will come at 5:00 tomorrow, when David Cutcliffe will be announced as Duke's next football coach.
As soon as any press conference is confirmed, we'll let you know here, and check back after it happens for streaming audio from the event.
And according to the Herald-Sun, that something will come at 5:00 tomorrow, when David Cutcliffe will be announced as Duke's next football coach.
As soon as any press conference is confirmed, we'll let you know here, and check back after it happens for streaming audio from the event.
ESPN Reporting Cutcliffe is "Done Deal"
ESPN.com's Chris Low is reporting that Cutcliffe to Duke is a lock and that an introductory press conference will occur on Monday. The above report was revised from an earlier report on SportsCenter that described the hiring as a "Done Deal" and said that an announcement could come as early as Tonight.
However, we called Duke Sports Information Director Art Chase, who said that the reports were "not true." Additionally, Duke President Richard Brodhead told the News & Observer this afternoon that the job is still open as of today.
It remains to be seen how this will turn out, but the preponderance of reports makes us think that the odds are pretty large that Cutcliffe is the man.
Our friends over at The Blue Zone have just posted some interesting commentary about a Cutcliffe hire.
However, we called Duke Sports Information Director Art Chase, who said that the reports were "not true." Additionally, Duke President Richard Brodhead told the News & Observer this afternoon that the job is still open as of today.
It remains to be seen how this will turn out, but the preponderance of reports makes us think that the odds are pretty large that Cutcliffe is the man.
Our friends over at The Blue Zone have just posted some interesting commentary about a Cutcliffe hire.
Cutcliffe says no offer has been made
Cutcliffe is on the record now, saying that he hasn't been offered the job and that it would be "arrogant" for him to have assumed that he will get it.
Earlier, this AP wire report said that Cutcliffe said he hasn't been offered the Duke job yet. As it stands now, it seems that Cutcliffe will be meeting with Duke AD Alleva sometime today, and an offer is possible, but as it stands it seems that the Knoxville paper's report from yesterday may have been a bit premature.
WRAL's website is reporting that the search committee will convene this afternoon, so this could be another sign that the wheels are starting to roll on finalizing a hire.
Earlier, this AP wire report said that Cutcliffe said he hasn't been offered the Duke job yet. As it stands now, it seems that Cutcliffe will be meeting with Duke AD Alleva sometime today, and an offer is possible, but as it stands it seems that the Knoxville paper's report from yesterday may have been a bit premature.
WRAL's website is reporting that the search committee will convene this afternoon, so this could be another sign that the wheels are starting to roll on finalizing a hire.
Not so fast...Friday Morning Update
Bill Cole in this morning's Winston-Salem Journal says that no offer has yet been made, and that Duke has narrowed the search down to Cutcliffe and former UCLA HC Karl Dorrell. The Herald-Sun says much the same thing.
Also, this morning's News and Observer update has some interesting comments from Cutcliffe on his health. Cutcliffe had to take two years off from coaching after undergoing a triple bypass procedure.
Here's a good read from Frank Dascenzo with an interview of Archie Manning, who gives a ringing endorsement for Cutcliffe and his offensive philosophy.
Continue to check back as the day progresses, as I'll be monitoring the situation and posting the latest as soon as I see it.
Also, this morning's News and Observer update has some interesting comments from Cutcliffe on his health. Cutcliffe had to take two years off from coaching after undergoing a triple bypass procedure.
Here's a good read from Frank Dascenzo with an interview of Archie Manning, who gives a ringing endorsement for Cutcliffe and his offensive philosophy.
Continue to check back as the day progresses, as I'll be monitoring the situation and posting the latest as soon as I see it.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Cutcliffe offered job, expected to accept
Duke might have it's man.
According to this report in the Knoxville News, Tennessee OC David Cutcliffe has been offered the Duke head coaching job and is expected to accept the offer.
I'm going to hold back on my opinion on this one until it becomes more official and I hear him at the press conference, but on the surface it looks like a decent hire. What do you think?
According to this report in the Knoxville News, Tennessee OC David Cutcliffe has been offered the Duke head coaching job and is expected to accept the offer.
I'm going to hold back on my opinion on this one until it becomes more official and I hear him at the press conference, but on the surface it looks like a decent hire. What do you think?
Cutcliffe in the Lead
That's according to David Glenn, who quoted a Duke source that raved about the Tennessee OC in his latest blog post.
"(Cutcliffe) was very, very impressive," a Duke source said. "With some coaches, the more you delve into the details of their background, the less you like them. With (Cutcliffe), the more you learn, the more you like. He's an impressive person and an impressive coach."
Glenn also mentioned the name of Atlanta Falcons OC Hue Jackson as another candidate that has been interviewed by Alleva. Jackson was a finalist for the opening in 2003 before it went to Ted Roof.
"(Cutcliffe) was very, very impressive," a Duke source said. "With some coaches, the more you delve into the details of their background, the less you like them. With (Cutcliffe), the more you learn, the more you like. He's an impressive person and an impressive coach."
Glenn also mentioned the name of Atlanta Falcons OC Hue Jackson as another candidate that has been interviewed by Alleva. Jackson was a finalist for the opening in 2003 before it went to Ted Roof.
Thursday Update - Noon
Finals week has kept me away from the blog over the last few days, but here is the latest I've heard and read.
1) Tennessee OC David Cutcliffe was on campus Wednesday to interview for the job, making him the fifth coach to interview with Duke AD Joe Alleva. Cutcliffe was 44-29 in six seasons with Ole Miss, and he only had one losing season at one of the tougher coaching situations in the SEC. He's also a noted quarterbacks tutor, as he's coached both Manning brothers.
2) Former Georgia Tech HC Chan Gailey and Louisiana-Monroe HC Charlie Weatherbie have had their names linked to the position, although there is no indication yet whether they've officially spoken with Alleva or have an interview planned.
3) Tom Dienhart's blog on the Sporting News site says that Dorrell might be the front runner for the job right now and that Gailey's name has surfaced to him, too.
1) Tennessee OC David Cutcliffe was on campus Wednesday to interview for the job, making him the fifth coach to interview with Duke AD Joe Alleva. Cutcliffe was 44-29 in six seasons with Ole Miss, and he only had one losing season at one of the tougher coaching situations in the SEC. He's also a noted quarterbacks tutor, as he's coached both Manning brothers.
2) Former Georgia Tech HC Chan Gailey and Louisiana-Monroe HC Charlie Weatherbie have had their names linked to the position, although there is no indication yet whether they've officially spoken with Alleva or have an interview planned.
3) Tom Dienhart's blog on the Sporting News site says that Dorrell might be the front runner for the job right now and that Gailey's name has surfaced to him, too.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Bobby Johnson Withdraws Name
According to this statement on the Vanderbilt athletics web site, Commodores HC Bobby Johnson has withdrawn his name in Duke's search to fill its head coaching vacancy.
The statement says that Johnson decided to withdraw his name Tuesday afternoon and informed Duke officials of his intention shortly thereafter.
The decision is probably the result of a realization on Johnson's part that a move to Duke would be pretty lateral, and that he'd be leaving behind all that he's started and built at Vanderbilt just to jump to Duke. It's also conceivable that Duke's interest cooled on Johnson and he wanted to go ahead and end speculation about his future (see more on this theory in the comments).
Regardless, the search goes on. Perhaps a Neuheisel interview is next?
The statement says that Johnson decided to withdraw his name Tuesday afternoon and informed Duke officials of his intention shortly thereafter.
The decision is probably the result of a realization on Johnson's part that a move to Duke would be pretty lateral, and that he'd be leaving behind all that he's started and built at Vanderbilt just to jump to Duke. It's also conceivable that Duke's interest cooled on Johnson and he wanted to go ahead and end speculation about his future (see more on this theory in the comments).
Regardless, the search goes on. Perhaps a Neuheisel interview is next?
More on Neuheisel
Columnist Frank Dascenzo has an interesting read on Rick Neuheisel in today's Herald-Sun, and he quotes the coach as saying that he's interested in the Duke job.
Also, this article from the NC State scout.com site has some informative background info on Neuheisel's infraction history, including more about the ineligible player that led to the forfeiture of 5 wins in the 1997 season at Colorado.
Also, this article from the NC State scout.com site has some informative background info on Neuheisel's infraction history, including more about the ineligible player that led to the forfeiture of 5 wins in the 1997 season at Colorado.
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