Cutcliffe Says No To Tennessee

Well, David Cutcliffe is not heading to Knoxville. The Duke head coach is a Blue Devil. Cutcliffe released this statement Friday morning through the Duke sports information office.

"After much thought and consideration, Karen and I reached the decision that Duke is the place for our family," Cutcliffe said. "We have both family members and lifetime friends in the Knoxville community and share a deep respect for the University of Tennessee. Our ties to the school and the Eastern Tennessee area are obvious. But before Tennessee's hiring process comes to a conclusion, I know that Duke University is where we want to coach."

According to govolsxtra.com, "staff issues" were the "snag" that could have unraveled this whole idea from Knoxville's point-of-view...

They did... apparently, Cutcliffe was supposed to integrate his staff with the six assistants left behind by the Kiffin Administration- to the tune of $3-million that UT wouldn't have to cash out immediately if Coach Cut wouldn't want anything to do with them... which is a fairly common practice...

Cutcliffe, naturally, declined that option...

"I've said all along that what makes Duke so special is the people, and that is the truth. We've received tremendous support from President Brodhead, Kevin White and the rest of the school's administration and are very grateful for their efforts. We have the best coaching staff in the country, and are convinced that we will continue to build a successful football program that both the Duke and Durham communities will be proud of."

Media reports were swirling including OSG Sports that Cutcliffe was going to take the head coaching job at Tennessee.

Who does Tennessee go to now? Why not just let Kippy Brown run the show for a year for on the job training. It may not be popular but might be necessary to keep the recruiting class together.

There are reports out of Knoxville that athletic direction Mike Hamilton is meeting with a "mystery candidate"

The wildest rumor I've heard is that Steve Spurrier was in Knoxville last night watching the UT men's basketball game. Maybe he's the mystery man.

The "Big Orange" circus continues.

Photo Courtesy: Lance King/goduke.com

It's Cutcliffe...and our last report on this story

***AGAIN, BREAKING NEWS****

Okay, we are growing weary of this story, but we felt like we had to report it. After being rebuffed by Will Muschamp, Jon Gruden and Troy Calhoun, it appears that the University of Tennessee has a football coach...David Cutcliffe.

((David Cutcliffe//Courtesy: Knoxville News-Sentinel File))

The story...from WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC RIGHT HERE

***UPDATE 6:25PM***

GoVolsExtra.com confirms that it will happen as long as some details can be tied up. Check out there story RIGHT HERE

This is probably, in our opinion, the guy that they should have sought out from the beginning. He is rock solid. Has ties to UT. Has been at least moderately successful everywhere he has been...and he hasn't been anywhere where he will have the resources UT will give him.

Bravo to the Vols for making a good choice. Having interviewed Cutcliffe in the past, he is a nice, well repsected man and he will undoubtedly do well.

OK...is Cutcliffe Next?

****MORE BREAKING NEWS***

So much for Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun heading to the University of Tennessee. Just a few minutes ago, the Air Force Academy released this statement from Calhoun on their website:

"We are more than grateful and proud to be closely involved with the character building of our cadets and the mission of the United States Air Force Academy. We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010."

The next question, we suppose, is where do they go next. It is beginning to sound like things will be heading towards former Assistant David Cutcliffe, which quite honestly in a lot of ways would make sense. We will keep watching as the speculation...on all sides of this story is beginning to reach Ludacrous speed.

On that note...here is some Spaceballs action...a movie slightly funnier than this bizarre chase of coaches. Thanks You Tube:

TWTW: Duke Wins On The Road 28-17 At UVa

((HT: WCAV-TV/newsplex.com))

Just who are these Duke University football people, anyway...???
Winning...??? In the ACC...??? On the road...???

UVA had a lead, lost it, and Duke capitalized...
We can't believe we just said that...

Will Snyderwine connected with five field goals and Thaddeus Lewis connected with Conner Vernon for the go-ahead touchdown for the Blue Devils as they snatched away a 17-12 lead late in fourth quarter.

With the 28-17 loss, Virginia falls to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 in the ACC. The Cavs will try to rebound next week on the road as they travel to 19th ranked Miami.

Here's Matt Parsons from the Newsplex with your highlights...


Duke is almost bowl eligible...
What in the Wide World of Sports is going on here...???

TWTW: Thad Lewis Causes NC State Thud, Duke Wins 49-28

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

"It was the best game that I've had a quarterback play," Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe said he told QB Thad Lewis.

The senior threw for career-highs of 459 yards and five touchdowns. He set Duke's career touchdown passing record and a single-game record with 40 completions. He also ran for a score as part of his gamelong torture of the Wolfpack's overmatched defense.

Yes, overmatched. The word usually applies to Duke when talking about football. Yet Lewis - a four-year starter who until now has seen his big passing days typically go for naught - was unstoppable as the Blue Devils (3-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped an 11-game losing streak against their instate rival and earned their first league road win in almost six years.

"He was really special," Cutcliffe said. "We handled their pressure, we handled their zone, and when you do that and your quarterback is as poised as Thad was tonight, good things happen.

"You know how they call that 'in the zone?' He was in the zone."

Here's your Duke/Lewis postgame, thanks to WRAL-TV

TWTW: Richmond Cuts Duke

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

The Spiders, reigning champions of the Football Championship Subdivision, won their 10th straight victory dating back to last season.

"That was obviously a great accomplishment," said Richmond RB Tyler Kirchoff, who rushed for 20 yards on seven carries. "But we've tried this year to put that behind us and focus on this as a new year. We wanted to come out and prove that we're a good team. We may have even gotten better."

"I'm baffled," Coach Cut said. "I never expected that. I was shocked."

Here's some sound from Coach Cut about the game itself...

Sean Robertson has your highlights from this game and two important others involving Old Dominion and William and Mary...
Thanks to our friends at WTVR-TV in Richmond
 

ACC Football Kickoff Day 2

Day 2 of the ACC preseason football kickoff is in the books with a day full of coach speak. Here's a few snap shots.

Ralph Friedgen is very fired up about his Maryland team. The Terps are picked to finish 5th in the Atlantic Division, have issues on defense and at wide receiver but Fridge is smitten' over this team. According to coach Friedgen, the Terps didn't have one bad spring practice, has a united locker room and doesn't complain. Whether that translates into wins remains to be seen but the Top Terp is in a good mood.

After Duke head coach David Cutcliffe left the table I was ready to run through a wall for him. Coach Cut is a master motivator. Remember yesterday they players said they expect to win 7 games and go to a bowl. Cutcliffe backed that statement, he expects the same thing from the Blue Devils. I'm a believer in Duke football and like I said yesterday I will be openly rooting for Duke.

Here's your answers as to why, thanks to our friends at WRAL-TV and WRALSportsFan.com

Bobby Bowden was well, Bobby B. Bowden joked about his "race" with Joe Paterno in their race to the death for most wins in college football.

He has no desire to leave the game. Here's the proof, thanks to our friends at 99.9 The Fan

Separated By Birth: Boston College Head Coach Frank Spaziani & Tom Selleck

Photos Courtesy: The ACC.com & AP