David Cutlciffe is not coming back to Tennessee: Should Tennessee make a change at head coach, and...

David Cutlciffe is not coming back to Tennessee: Should Tennessee make a change at head coach, and that is beginning to look more likely by the day, there has been speculation that David Cutcliffe, who served two terms as the Tennessee OC and is now the head coach at Duke (4-3) might return. It’s understandable that Cutcliffe’s name would come up. Here are the numbers: With Cutcliffe calling the plays, Phillip Fulmer’s teams were 85-19. With somebody else calling the plays, the record is 65-31. But it’s not going to happen. Cutcliffe and Fulmer are very close. The only way Cutcliffe comes back is if Fulmer gave his blessing and convinced him that it was for the good of the program. I know this has become a cutthroat business, but there is still a little loyalty left out there. Isn’t there?

Comments

True

I concur.

by kidbourbon on Oct 29, 2008 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

At the same time, a Cutcliffe hiring would have nothing to do with a Fulmer firing. If Fulmer is released, it won’t be because Cutcliffe’s coming in. So it wouldn’t be a stretch to have Fulmer fired and Cutcliffe hired without stepping on Fulmer’s toes.

But either way, I don’t think Cutcliffe is a candidate. It’s not that he can’t coach; it’s that he’s still in his first year at Duke and the move would be very sudden indeed.

by David Hooper on Oct 29, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Plus with his heart history, I don't think his long-term upside is that good

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Oct 29, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmm.

Cutcliffe: Fulmer’s Cheney?

by David Hooper on Oct 29, 2008 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL +1

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Oct 29, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bob Neyland isn't walking through that door

Cut left, twice. He left for Ole Miss and frickin Duke! He’s made his statement about UT. Let’s get Navy’s coach, ol’ Whatshisname. They beat the crap outta SMU the other day without throwing a single pass the whole game, 404 yards rushing – 0 yards passing.

Deferring is for p_ssies. Make a decision!

by wvvol on Oct 29, 2008 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

Possibility

Coach Cut left twice…for HC positions. When he returned in ‘06 as our OC, it was made very clear that he wasn’t going to be around for long, since his heart was set on the HC position. And just for the record ‘frickin Duke’ beat up a relatively good Vandy team this year.

Mr. Football makes an interesting point though; something I hadn’t considered, but is a real possibility.

by Aerobab on Nov 1, 2008 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions