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There will be no Rocky Top reunion for David Cutcliffe.The Duke coach and former longtime Tennessee assistant removed his name from consideration Friday morning, becoming at latest coach to say no to the Volunteers.
"After much thought and consideration, Karen [Cutcliffe's wife] and I reached the decision that Duke is the place for our family," he said in a statement released by Duke. "We have both family members and lifetime friends in the Knoxville community and share a deep respect for the University of Tennessee. ... But before Tennessee's hiring process comes to a conclusion, I know that Duke University is where we want to coach."
Cutcliffe served on the staff of Tennessee coaches Johnny Majors and Phil Fulmer from 1982-1998, and again under Fulmer during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Cutcliffe coached Ole Miss in the interim, posting a 44-29 record, including a 4-1 bowl record with the Rebels.
In two years at Duke, Cutcliffe has won nine games and brought some luster back to the Blue Devils' struggling football program. Duke's 5-7 record in 2009 was the school's best record since its 1994 bowl season under Fred Goldsmith.
Previous head coach Ted Roof won just four games in his only four full seasons in Durham.
Cutctliffe becomes the latest in a string of coaches to turn down the Tennessee job, which was believed to be offered to both Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Air Force coach Troy Calhoun.
The Volunteers' previous coach, Lane Kiffin, unexpectedly left to take the USC head coaching position Tuesday night, leaving Tennessee to scramble for a replacement less than four weeks before college football's signing day, the day high school seniors officially commit to schools. Already, multiple verbal commitments have re-opened the recruitment process or committed elsewhere.
Coaches are allowed to recruit in person again starting Sunday. Athletic director Mike Hamilton said he would have a coach in place in time earlier this week.
Louisiana Tech coach and athletics director Derek Dooley, son of legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley, has been linked to the job opening in multiple reports. Dooley is 17-20 in three seasons with the Bulldogs.
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