It doesn't seem like David Cutcliffe has been at Duke for nine years, but in one of his opening statements during ACC Kickoff, he reminds us of that.  He mentioned that along with Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, that the two were the elder coaches in the league.

When Cutcliffe inherited the reigns at Duke, the Blue Devil program was nothing more than a doormat.  He immediately gave fans something they haven't had in a long time.  In his first season Duke went 4-8 against the second toughest schedule in the country. While four wins might seem paltry in hindsight, one must note that it had been a decade since Duke had won near that many.

There were to be a few more years of rebuilding the program to where it is today.  Having covered Duke throughout the journey has been interesting for me.  There was a time when many in the fan base coveted things like wins and bowl games.  Many wondered if they would see either before their life was to end.  I was one of those people.

Make no mistake, the steps it took to get to where the program is coming off four consecutive bowl games was at times methodical.  It was easier for Duke fans to grant the rebuilding process patience in that winning would be something new.

What Cutcliffe has done is devise his own system.   It's not always perfect but he is known for being one of the best coaches in the nation for good reason.  His system promotes character and his staff teaches what it preaches.

When prospects come to visit Duke and their ever improving facilities most will point to one thing.  The word family is always mentioned to those who find a fit.  That fit is also important to the staff in that they know what it takes for players to mesh with what they're doing.

In a sense, Cutcliffe took out a page from Mike Krzyzewski's notebook.  He did so with developing a family atmosphere and going after kids with high character.  Even as I type, Duke has already zeroed in on and gained 20 football commitments for the future and are ranked 18th in the country per ESPN.

The bottom line is that prospects want to play for Duke,  They have seen that you can compete on the field and in the classroom.  They have seen that the staff is honest and genuine and that they will develop them as a players, student athletes and men.

Everything is coming full circle for the program.  While there is sure to be more growing pains, the foundation has been set.  With much improved facilities and playing in a conference that is improving every year -- the future is bright.

Duke scored big with the hiring of David Cutcliffe.  And in Durham on Brooks Field and in Wallace Wade Stadium, he has found his final home.   It is quite simply the perfect paring.

As for the aforementioned long time fans of the program who suffered along with teams past.  Well, the wait for a winning program seems worth it,  As for me mentioning that it doesn't seem like Cutcliffe has been at Duke that long ... time flies when things are going well.

Next up - Cutcliffe talks Duke Football for the 2016-17 season.