Category Archives: Duke Football

Duke Football

Lewis to play in Pro Football Hall Fame Texas vs The Nation Challenge

tl77DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis will participate in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. The Nation Challenge set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 6 at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.

Lewis will play for the Texas squad, coached by Howard Schnellenberger, who guided Miami to the 1983 national championship.  Former Dallas Cowboys standout Bill Bates will coach the Nation unit.

A native of Opa-Locka, Fla., Lewis closed out an outstanding career with 48 school records including career marks for total offensive yards (9,987), passing yards (10,065), pass completions (877), pass attempts (1,510), touchdown passes (67), 300-yard passing games (11) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.68:1). In 2009, he completed 274-of-449 (.610) pass attempts for 3,330 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. One of just two quarterbacks in ACC history to throw for over 10,000 yards in a career, Lewis paced the league in passing yards per game (277.5), and his 3,330 passing yards rank as the second-highest single-season total in Duke history. Lewis, who earned second team All-ACC honors in 2008, is Duke's first two-time all-conference quarterback since Ben Bennett captured first squad honors in both 1982 and 1983.

Other former ACC players scheduled to play in the game include Brent Bowden (P, Virginia Tech), Derrick Epps (TE, Miami), Toney Baker (RB, N.C. State), Cory Jackson (FB, Maryland), Kyle Jolly (OT, North Carolina), Will Barker (OG, Virginia), E.J. Wilson (DE, North Carolina) and Travis Ivey (DT, Maryland).

Duke Football

It’s Official! Cutcliffe will remain the head football coach at Duke

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DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University head football coach David Cutcliffe announced on Friday he will remain at the school amid speculation that he is a candidate to become the head coach at the University of Tennessee.

“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.

“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.”

“David Cutcliffe informed us this morning that he intends to remain the Duke football coach for a long time,” Duke Vice President & Director of Athletics Kevin White said.  “He is a tremendous football coach, and an even better person with a terrific family.  Simply put, we could not be happier or more excited about the future of the Blue Devil football program.  In just two years, David and his stellar coaching staff have made a significant impact on the department, the university and the Durham community. Together, we look forward to building on that great work for many years to come.  Under David’s guidance and with the strong support of university leadership, Duke is committed to building a football program consistent with the standard of excellence exhibited throughout the entire institution.”

Cutcliffe has guided Duke to a 9-15 overall record in two seasons.  The Blue Devils had won 10 games in the previous eight seasons combined.  In ACC play, Duke’s four wins in two years under Cutcliffe is one league victory greater than the previous eight-year total.

“We are extremely excited about the future of this program,” Cutcliffe continued.  “From the players we have returning, to our work on the recruiting front to our facility projects, we know we’re headed in the right direction.”

The Blue Devils return 41 lettermen and 17 starters from last year’s squad that posted a 5-7 overall record, marking the program’s highest win total since 1994.

Duke Football

Blue Devil fans are worried about losing Cutcliffe to Tennessee

Cutcliffe is being mentioned for the Tennessee vacancy. Here, he bands togher with playe
Cutcliffe is being mentioned for the Tennessee vacancy. Here, he bands together with players before Duke defeated N.C. State 49-28 in Raleigh. Copyright BDN Photo

Durham, N.C. - It didn't take long for the Blue Devil Nation to worry about the possibility of losing David Cutcliffe to Tennessee after Lane Kiffin suddenly took the head coaching position at Southern Cal.

My phone rang late last evening with a fan and friend on the other end with a very depressed tone after learning the news.

There was not much I could tell him for just a couple of hours before as the news began to sink in, I pondered what would happen to Duke Football if they lost their fine head coach.

As of noon toda dust clears, the rumors are running at full force as to who the real candidates are for the Vol's job.

While many feel Texas coach in waiting, Will Muschamp is the top contender,  just being mentioned for the position raises his stock with not on Texas.

More often than not the hottest guy for a job that suddenly comes open usually goes another route but rest assured Duke fans will be pulling for the opposite to happen and the sooner the better with concern to Muschamp.

Nobody could blame Cutcliffe if he were to leave Duke for familiar turf, but the program would be in dire straights to name a coach and to do so quickly in order to maintain the upward momentum.

Cutcliffe has big time Tennessee ties and with his character and abilities he could well be the most logical choice for their program and certainly a safe choice.

You can bet that if Cutcliffe interviews and you can rest assured he will, he will lay it all out there just as he did for the Duke search committee.

He knows the Vols program, the expectations, the recruiting turf and there is certainly some love in his heart for the program.

It has been rumored that there is a clause in his contract, but BDN has yet to find out if that is true or not.

As this story develops, BDN will keep you abreast of the latest and make no mistake, Duke fans are worried about losing their coach and starting over, yet again.

Duke Football

duke-blue-devilsCornell head coach Jim Knowles has resigned to become the defensive coordinator at Duke University.  

In six seasons under Knowles' leadership, Cornell had a 26-34 record, including a 2-8 record this season.

"It was a very difficult decision." Knowles said. "I'm passionate about Cornell football. It's in my blood. I love the players. I love the university, and I was honored to be the head coach."

Cornell sports information director Jeremy Hartigan said a national search for Knowles' replacement will begin immediately.

Knowles  had two years left on his contract at Cornell.

His hiring has not officially been announced but it is expected to happen this week.

"It boiled down to finances, job security and the opportunity to work with what I think is a great coach and an unbelievable staff," Knowles told the Binghampton press.

The Duke defensive coordinator position opened when Mike MacIntyre took the head coaching position at San Jose State on Dec. 17.

Sources close to the situation said Knowles wasted little time in making his decision to coach again with Duke coach David Cutcliffe.

Duke Football

Duke loses Defensive Coordinator Mike MacIntyre to San Jose State

Coach MacIntyre accepts the San Jose State head coaching position - BDN Photo
Coach MacIntyre accepts the San Jose State head coaching position - BDN Photo

Durham, N.C. - Duke Defensive Coordinator Mike MacIntyre has accepted the head coaching position at San Jose State.  The Blue Devil Nation hates to see his departure, but those are the breaks when you have a great staff.  SJS is getting a good one in Coach Mac for he is the total package on and off the field.  We are happy that a man of high moral character and great x's and o's has an opportunity