Duke most recently lost offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery to East Carolina who will become their head coach.  That set into process a search for the next person to run the offense.  There was much speculation during that time on who might interview and take over the reigns.  During that time you didn't hear Zac Ropers name that much until the end of the process where he was named the new Baxter Associate head coach and coordinator today.

While there was plenty of interest in the position, Duke coach David Cutcliffe opted to stay in-house with a man he was familiar with.  The Blue Devils have had success keeping their hires from within the family that  Cutcliffe and others around the program refer to as Duke Gang.  While some may point to a lack of experience calling plays for Roper, one has to remember that Montgomery was fresh in the task as well.

If one is to take a deeper look with Roper, they will find that he comes from a strong football back ground.  His brother, Kurt, was an offensive coordinator at Duke and currently will run the offense at South Carolina.  Roper has also coached pretty much every position at Duke and has had a relationship with Cutcliffe since 1999.  That means that a decision was made after knowing Roper for 17 years from Cutcliffe.

"I could not be more excited.  What he's (Roper) done with our special teams, tight ends and running backs and his role with the offensive line and route running, I am really excited in Zac taking the reigns," said Cutliffe, who also stated he would coach the quarterbacks.

Continuity played a big role in the hire.  "When you make a coordinator hire and associate head coach hire, you can't just look at that position.  You look at how this affects the offensive staff and whats the best fit for the entire staff.  We are very systematic and value driven and the values will never be compromised here," said Cutcliffe.

Roper actually learned defense first as a youngster growing up.  "My background in football started a long time ago.  My dad was a defensive coach and I picked up a lot of foundation type things."  But Roper also gained some experience from working with his brother, Kurt. "One of the things he used to say is you've got to start with the right eleven people on the field and we have to end with the football. We are going to continue to do things here offensively where we don't beat ourselves."

Cutliffe mentioned that Roper had worked with players on both sides of the ball when working with special teams.  He stated that Roper had coordinated meetings, schematics and took on duties that would prepare him for running the offense.

With concern to next season, Roper has already started to share his vision for Thomas Sirk next season.  "There are definitely things we are going to look at this off-season schematically and personnel wise." Roper mentioned he will seek replacements for the starters lost and that he looks forward to players fighting for the positions.  As for Sirk's injury late in the bowl win over Indiana, Cutcliffe said he thinks he will be fine and that he will be looked at soon and  they could then give a better answer.

What Duke gets with Roper is a man of high character.  I have been around the program since Cutcliffe arrived in Durham and the Ropers have always stood out as jgood people.  Roper has earned this opportunity and Duke will remain a tight knot group of like-minded individuals with his hiring.

In the end it was the best move for Cutcliffe in his view to hire from within and to do so from the Duke Family.  Cutcliffe expanded a bit on Duke Family when asked to elaborate on it, "We have a lot invested in each other at Duke.  If you look at our staff and staff history, I don't think there is anybody else quite like we are.  When you have great people within your organization you want to see those people grow and we have been able to do that."

Cutcliffe continued by explaining more about "DukeGang," and what it means after speaking to the emotion involved within and around the program. "We are close as families.  Our players are invested with their coaches and I want to our players to always know that the coaches are invested in them.  They come first.  The program is our players.  When you develop this type of atmosphere, family hiring is a great thing."