Speculation about Duke head coach David Cutcliffe possibly returning to Tennessee to replace Phillip Fulmer next season was inevitable. But just more than 24 hours after Tennessee announced Fulmer would not return next season, Cutcliffe said he would not be on the sidelines of Neyland Stadium, either.
The former Tennessee offensive coordinator confirmed after his press conference that he would be the head coach at Duke in 2009.
“To put an end to any speculation, I’m at Duke. I’m staying at Duke,” Cutcliffe said Tuesday at his weekly media luncheon. “Tennessee is not even part of the thought process.”
Cutcliffe met with his players Tuesday morning and, in a brief meeting, told them the Tennessee job was a non-factor and that he was moving on from the speculation. He handled it early because he was afraid other coaches would use it against Duke in recruiting—which is exactly what he would have done if the tables were turned, Cutcliffe said.
“It’ll settle down quickly, but shoot, I’d use it too on recruiting,” he said.
More on Cutcliffe’s ruling himself out later.
I don’t really believe him.
well that’s unfortunate that you don’t.
but Cut is a man of his word. So I believe him.
Regardless if you believe him or not, White and the rest of the athletic staff need to move an award him a Charlie Weis-esque life contract…because he, unlike Weis, has actually demonstrated the type of improvement that would merit such a deal.
If Duke has to pony up cash midway thru his first year, I would be surprised. On the other hand, he has done more for Duke football than any other individual has in the last 17 years… already!
He’s a keeper!
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