David Cutcliffe

David Cutcliffe (born September 16, 1954 in Birmingham) is the head football coach of the Duke University Blue Devils and the former head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. He is best-known for coaching Peyton Manning at Tennessee and Eli Manning at Ole Miss and for producing record setting offenses at both schools. Almost all offensive records at both schools were set during Cutcliffe's time as coach. As a head coach, he had compiled a career record of 44-29.

Cutcliffe was one of six children born to Mr & Mrs Raymond Cutcliffe. He played high school football at Banks High School in East Lake and later served as a student assistant on the staff of Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

Cutcliffe's coaching career began at Banks High School where he served as an assistant beginning in 1976. He became the head coach in 1980, compiling a 17-4-1 record in two seasons. In 1982 he was hired as a part time coach at the University of Tennessee. A year later he was promoted to full time status as the tight ends and assistant offensive line coach. By 1990 Cutcliffe was coaching quarterbacks, and three years later became the Volunteers' offensive coordinator. As coordinator, Cutcliffe helped lead the Vols to two SEC Championships and a 1998 national championship.

On December 2, 1998, Cutcliffe left Tennessee to take the job as head football coach at the University of Mississippi. Cutcliffe had success at Ole Miss, where he recruited Eli Manning. In 2003, Cutcliffe's Rebels tied LSU for the West Division title and a win in the Cotton Bowl.

After his only losing season in 2004, Athletic Director Pete Boone asked Cutcliffe to prepare a detailed plan for improving the football program, including replacing his assistants. Cutcliffe refused and was subsequently fired.

After his stint at Mississippi, Cutcliffe was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, but health problems forced him to resign. After taking a year off he returned to Knoxville, where where three of his children were attending college. He resumed the position of offensive coordinator after the resignation of Randy Sanders (who had succeeded him in 1998).

In 2006 and 2007 Cutcliffe's offense, led by quarterback Erik Ainge, propelled the Volunteers to back-to-back 9-4 records, including wins over #12 California and at #9 Georgia. On December 14, 2007 Cutcliffe was hired to replaced Ted Roof as the head football coach at Duke University.

Cutcliffe is married to the former Karen Oran of Harriman, Tennessee. They have four children: Marcus, Chris, Katie, and Emily.

Head coaching record

• Banks High School (1979-1981): 17-4-1
• Ole Miss Rebels (1998-2004): 44-29 (4-1 in bowl games, 2 top 25 finishes)
• Duke Blue Devils (2008-): 2-1

References

• "David Cutcliffe." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 17 Dec 2007, 04:39 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 17 Dec 2007 [1].