DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe announced on Thursday the addition of Rick Petri to the Blue Devil coaching staff. Petri, a 34-year veteran in the college ranks including a six-season stint with Cutcliffe at Ole Miss, will serve as an assistant coach and coach the defensive line.
In addition, Cutcliffe announced that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will assume the lead role with Duke’s practice scheduling, weekly preparation and game day play-calling.
“We are very fortunate to strengthen our defensive staff with the addition of Rick Petri,” Cutcliffe said. “Rick is widely known in the coaching profession as one of the top teachers of defensive line play, and his track record of preparing young men for the National Football League speaks for itself. Also, his ideas and methods of helping players mature into young adults fit very well with our philosophies.
“Jim Knowles will coordinate our defense,” Cutcliffe continued. “Rick will coach the defensive line, Jim Collins the linebackers and Derek Jones the secondary. I believe with this group of coaches we have assembled the finest defensive staff in America.”
Petri served on Cutcliffe’s staff at Ole Miss from 1998-04, helping the Rebels to a 44-29 record and four bowl victories. In 2003, Ole Miss went 10-3, captured a share of the SEC Western Division title and defeated Oklahoma State, 31-29, in the Cotton Bowl. While with the Rebels, Petri coached the defensive tackles and tutored a pair of first team All-SEC selections in Kendrick Clancy and Jesse Mitchell. Clancy went on to be a third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Petri comes to Durham after spending the 2010 campaign at ACC member Miami. Last year the Hurricane defensive unit ranked among the league’s leaders in pass defense (1st), pass defense efficiency (1st), opponent third down percentage (2nd), opponent first downs (2nd) total defense (3rd), sacks (3rd), and scoring defense (5th). Under Petri’s guidance, senior Allen Bailey earned All-ACC honors after leading the Hurricanes in quarterback sacks.
From 2005-09, Petri was on the staff at Kentucky where he helped the Wildcats to four consecutive bowl game appearances that included victories over Clemson (2006 Music City Bowl), Florida State (2007 Music City Bowl) and East Carolina (2009 Liberty Bowl). In Lexington, Petri coached three future draft picks in Myron Pryor (6th round, New England, 2009), Jeremy Jarmon (3rd round, Washington, 2010) and Corey Peters (3rd round, Atlanta, 2010).
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Petri got his start in coaching at Pittsburg State (1977-78). He then spent 10 years on the staff at Arkansas State before a three-year (1989-91) stint at Ole Miss under head coach Billy Brewer. During his first stint in Oxford, Petri coached Kelvin Pritchett, who was a first round choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 and spent 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.
After one season at Louisiana Tech (1992), he enjoyed three seasons at Miami (1993-95) as the Hurricanes went 27-7, won two BIG EAST championships, finished all three seasons ranked in the Associated Press national poll and played in both the Fiesta and Orange Bowls. In addition, Petri coached three future first round NFL draft choices in Warren Sapp (Tampa Bay, 1995), Kenard Lang (Washington, 1997) and Kenny Holmes (Houston, 1997). Sapp went on to earn NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1999. In 1994, the Hurricanes led the nation in both scoring defense and total defense.
From 1996-98, Petri tutored the defensive ends at South Carolina where he helped develop John Abraham, a first round pick of the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft. One of just 25 players in NFL history to record 100 or more sacks, Abraham completed his 11th professional season in 2010 and earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl after helping the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC South Division championship.
Petri is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla. He and his wife, Marsha, have two sons, Brad and Kory.
Tag Archives: BDN
Duke, USF, and Memphis are finalists for Alabama TE David Reeves
With a solid group of verbal commitments already in hand, Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Duke coaching staff are looking to add another impact player or two to the class of 2011. For the past several months, Alabama TE David Reeves has been near the top of the Blue Devils’ wish list. The 6’5” 242 pound prospect from Greensboro East High School is the type of athlete that would have an immediate impact on the field in Durham. Reeves has earned praise from scouts and coaches for his great size, speed, and hands. The 2011 Alabama Sports Writers Association 3A Lineman of the Year, Reeves has also excelled on the basketball court and the track and field team for Greensboro. Blue Devil Nation recently spoke with the highly-coveted prospect about his recruitment.
BDN: For those fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play in person, can you describe in your own words some of your strengths as a player?
Well, I think that with my speed, I create mismatches with most linebackers, and with my size, most safeties won’t be able to cover me and jump with me. I play basketball, too, so I don’t think they can jump with me. I think that I have the awareness to be able to adjust to where I need to be.
BDN: I know some schools have talked about recruiting you for different positions. What position would you prefer to play in college where you think you can have the best impact?
Well, I really like tight end, so that’d be it.
BDN: It certainly sounds like your skill set is well-suited for that. You were named the 3A Lineman of the Year, which is a nice honor, so congratulations for that. How would you describe your senior year and what do you think led to your success this season?
Personally, I feel like I did a lot better. I was doing all the little things right this year. This is my last year, I want to make sure I leave an impression and make the young kids want to do good – do better than what I did.
BDN: Can you talk a little bit about where you are in the recruitment process?
Ok, well, as signing day comes closer, it’s going to get pretty hectic. I’ve got to remember that it’s a business and I can’t let the relationships I’ve build with the coaches that are recruiting me make me feel bad if I choose to go somewhere else. I’ve just got to keep in mind that it’s all business and the schools that I don’t go to, they’ll understand.
BDN: I think Duke was the first school you took an official visit to back in December. Can you talk about that visit and what your thoughts are on the Duke program?
Duke has been recruiting me since mid-season, yeah, I’d say about mid-season. Coach Middleton is my recruiting coach and he’s also the tight end coach. I had a good time when I came down. It was a lot different than I expected it to be. I had a lot of fun when I went out with the players and stuff and I really got along with them good. I think they’re trying to do something big – make a name for Duke football on the campus, and that’s where I could probably help them get it done.
BDN: You recently visited South Florida. Can you talk a little about that visit and their program?
Yeah, I had a good time. I enjoyed the city, enjoyed the people. Also, their Coach Scott, Coach Larry Scott, he’s my recruiting coach there and he’s also my tight end coach, so it’s the same way it is at Duke. I enjoyed the players and the time I spent with them, and the facilities and all that too. They’re still an up and coming program, but they’re going in the right direction also.
BDN: Do you have any other visits planned between now and signing day?
Well, I’ve got Memphis this week and possibly Mississippi State next week, but I think that I’ll probably make a decision between now and next weekend.
BDN: So Memphis this weekend and then a decision sometime next week?
Yeah.
BDN: Without necessarily talking about any specific schools, as you step back and make your college choice, what are some of the most important things you’re looking for in a school and a football program?
The overall atmosphere and support for the football players and football program. And the fan base, like, the exposure and all that. Mostly, the people like the coaches and the players. Yeah, the players are the most important because they’re going to be around all the time and if you don’t like them, you can’t have a good time in college.
BDN: That’s a great perspective to have. Growing up in Alabama and SEC country, how much have you followed the ACC and the Big East and what are your thoughts on those conferences and their style of play?
Well, yeah, you know I’m from an SEC area and it’s a big thing, you know, SEC football. I know that there’s competition everywhere, though, so I know that just because I’m not going to like a big SEC school, I’m still going to be competing with some of the best athletes in the country.
BDN: Thanks so much, David. I know you’re busy, so I just want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us and congratulate you on your success. I know we all wish you the best of luck with your decision.
Alright, thanks, I appreciate that.
David's senior year highlights can be viewed here.
Duke at N.C. State Game Notes
Game 18[4 AP / 5 Coaches] Duke (16-1, 3-1 ACC) vs. N.C. State (11-6, 1-2 ACC)
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 • 7:00 p.m.
The Opening Tip
• Duke faces N.C. State on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at the RBC Center. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
• The game is being televised by ESPN with Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Jay Bilas (analyst) and Jeannine Edwards (sideline) calling the action.
• Duke is ranked No. 4 in the AP and No. 5 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while N.C. State is unranked in both polls.
• The Blue Devils are looking to improve to 17-1 for the 10th time in school history. Duke has reached 17-1 in three of the last five seasons.
• Duke has won 34 of the last 36 games entering Wednesday’s game with N.C. State.
• Duke is looking for its 23rd straight win in the state of North Carolina. The Blue Devils’ last loss in their home state was on Jan. 20, 2010 to N.C. State.
Duke-N.C. State Series History• Duke and N.C. State have met 233 times heading into Wednesday’s game with the first meeting between the two schools coming on Feb. 9, 1912.
• The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 136-97, including a 6-3 mark at the RBC Center.
• N.C. State won the last meeting between the two schools, 88-74, on Jan. 20, 2010.
• Duke has not lost back-to-back games to N.C. State since the 1994-95 season. The Blue Devils are 28-5 against the Wolfpack in that span.
• Mike Krzyzewski is 44-20 at Duke against the Wolfpack.
• Krzyzewski recorded his 800th career coaching victory with an 87-86 win over N.C. State at the RBC Center on March 1, 2008.
Numbers Game
l The Blue Devils have had at least one player score 20 or more points in each of the last 12 games.l Duke has collected 40 or more rebounds in three of the last four games. The Blue Devils are averaging 40.8 rebounds in five January games.
l The Blue Devils rank fourth in the NCAA in scoring at 85.5 points per game. Duke is 16-0 on the year when scoring 70 or more points in a game.
l Duke has won 22 consecutive games in the state of North Carolina. The Blue Devils’ last loss in the state was at N.C. State last season.
l In conference play, senior Nolan Smith leads the ACC in scoring (23.5 ppg.), assists (6.0 apg.), steals (2.5 spg.) and minutes played (39.8 mpg.). He also ranks second in free throw percentage (.963) and tied for ninth in three-point field goals (2.0 3pg.).
l Senior Kyle Singler has scored in double figures in 52 of his last 57 games. He is tied for sixth at Duke with 111 career double-figure scoring games.
l Nolan Smith is tied for the ACC lead with eight games with 20 or more points scored. He has topped the 20-point mark in seven of the last 10 games and two times in league play.
l Sophomore Mason Plumlee has raised his rebound average by 5.4 rebounds per game from a year ago. He ranks fourth in the ACC at 8.5 rpg. Plumlee ranks second in league play at 11.5 rpg, including an ACC-high 8.3 defensive rebounds per game. l Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are averaging 44.5 points combined over the last six games. The senior tandem has accounted for 56.2 percent of the Duke offense in that span.
Plumlee helps lead Christ Shool past to an 83-47 romp in MLK Classic
GREENSBORO - One thing you can depend on in January is the annual Martin Luther King Classic in Greensboro, North Carolina where high school hoopsters play a day of basketball.
Christ School came out on fire against Greensboro Day grabbing a 20-6 first quarter lead and they never looked back. When the dust cleared, Christ School took home an 83-47 win over their in state rival.
The Greenies had a balanced attack led by future Blue Devil Marshall Plumlee, a member of the 2011 recruiting class where he joins Austin Rivers, Michael Gbinije and Quinn Cook.
Plumlee scored 12 points and he got to the free throw stripe often. He equaled his point total with 12 rebounds giving him another double-double and dished out 4 assists to go with his 3 steals.
The man known as Coach K, Mike Krzyzewski, took in the game with assistant coach Nate James and they stayed for the Oak Hill game which featured Plumlees soon to be teammate Quinn Cook.
"Its always an honor when they take the time to come and see me because I know they are busy with their schedule. I just hope I was able to show him I'm working hard and trying to improve and I'm looking forward to be a part of the Duke program, " said Plumlee after his teams win.
When asked what his goals were for the remainer of the season, Plumlee told BDN, "Not to lose a game. We want to keep it going and work hard on and off the court."
Christ School and Marshall Plumlee will play Oak Hill and Quinn Cook in Cameron Indoor Stadium this February in a game where the details have yet to be released.
For more on Plumlee and Duke Basketball recruiting, join Blue Devil Nation Premium.
Lucas Patrick on his official visit to Duke: “Everything about it was great!”
As signing day approaches, Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Duke coaching staff are looking to hold onto each of their 20 current verbal commitments and hoping to add another impact player or two to the class of 2011. This past weekend, the Blue Devils hosted four of their current verbal commitments in Lucas Patrick, Blair Holliday, David Helton, and Jamison Crowder. BDN checked in with the visitors to get their thoughts on the visit to Durham and the Duke program.
Lucas Patrick is a 6’4” 285 pound senior offensive lineman from Brentwood, Tennessee who committed to the Blue Devils back in May. After leading Brentwood to a district title, Lucas played for the West in the annual Tennessee East-West All-Star Game. He spoke with Blue Devil Nation after his official visit to Durham.
BDN: Can you briefly recap your recent official visit to Duke?
It was a great trip! Everything about it was great! Showed up Friday, just hung out with the coaches a little bit, went to dinner. Dave Harding was my host, and we hung out in his dorm, went around campus, just meeting a bunch of the guys. Saturday, we did a bunch of the tours and went to the basketball game, which was a complete blast – seeing Cameron Indoor like that. Then we went out that night. And then Sunday I met with Coach Cutcliffe. It was just a great weekend, I can’t think of one thing that went bad.
BDN: You mentioned you were able to meet some of the other Duke players; can you tell us a little bit about whom you met and what you talked with them about?
Some of the other players who were visiting with me were Blair Holliday, David Helton, and Jamison Crowder. I got to hang out with them, just riding on the buses to places, sitting there at night when we got in and just talking. Some of the players I got to meet were – the other two that I mainly hung out with were John Coleman and Perry Simmons. Both of them were just great guys to hang out with and talk, get a good insight on the team and how everything went. It was just great overall, especially with those guys – they were some good guys to meet.
BDN: You also mentioned you were able to meet with Coach Cutcliffe and had dinner with the other coaches; were you able to talk to them about the program and your role going forward?
It wasn’t really – I mean, I got to talk with Coach Luke about some football and all that, but with Coach Cutcliffe, he really just shared his idea for the team and where they were headed. He got me so fired up, just sitting there talking to him about the team and how they felt about this season, and how the commitment to winning is so great now and the whole team is ready to win and is so committed to what he believes. It’s just really good to hear that.
BDN: Can you tell us a little about how your senior season finished up?
My senior season – I just had a complete blast. It was fun hanging out with the guys, and we won our district for the third year in a row, which is a big thing because we have a pretty tough district to go through. We ended up getting knocked out of the first round of the playoffs, but as far as myself, my senior season went great. I had a bunch of accolades and just improved in a bunch of stuff over this season as far as my game in general.
BDN: What are your plans for the rest of your senior year?
I’m working out every day. I just came back from an hour and a half workout and I’m going to go run later today, so I’m going to be hitting it hard. I want to go up there and not miss a beat and go ahead and be able to get working with the team and everything. I’m really focusing on my school work, especially classes that I’m struggling in so I can come in there with great school work and a great work ethic.
BDN: That’s great, Lucas. Thanks for speaking with me and enjoy the rest of your senior year.
Yes sir, thank you so much.
Maryland at Duke Game Notes
Game 15[1 AP / 1 Coaches] Duke (14-0, 1-0 ACC) vs. Maryland (10-4, 0-1 ACC)
Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 • 8:00 p.m.
The Opening Tip• Duke faces Maryland on Sunday, Jan. 9 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
• The game is being televised by Fox Sports with Tim Brando (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst) and Jenn Hildreth (sideline) calling the action.
• Duke is ranked No. 1 in the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while Maryland is unranked in both polls.
• Duke has won 24 consecutive games entering Sunday’s contest. The Blue Devils have also won 28 straight games at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• Duke is looking to improve to 15-0 for the fifth time in school history. The Blue Devils opened the 2005-06, 2004-05, 1991-92 and 1985-86 seasons with 15 straight victories as well.
Duke-Maryland Series History• Duke and Maryland have met 168 times heading into Sunday’s game with the first meeting between the two schools coming in 1926.
• The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 107-61, including a 50-14 mark at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• Duke has won three consecutive meetings at Cameron Indoor Stadium and seven of the last nine games at home.
• Mike Krzyzewski is 48-21 at Duke against the Terrapins.
• Duke has won 21 of the last 32 games in the series (dating back to the 1997-98 season).
• The Blue Devils’ last loss was to Maryland, 79-72, on March 3, 2010. Duke has won 24 consecutive games since that loss.
Numbers Game
l Duke has won 24 consecutive games dating back to a 79-72 loss at Maryland on March 3, 2010. Duke has won 32 of its last 33 games.
l Duke has only lost two home games in the past four seasons, posting a record of 57-2 in Cameron Indoor Stadium during that span. The Blue Devils currently have a 28-game win streak at home.l Duke has won 50 straight home games against unranked opponents. The Blue Devils’ last loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium to an unranked opponent was to Florida State on Feb. 4, 2007.
l Kyle Singler became the 11th player in Duke history to score at least 2,000 career points on Wednesday. He currently ranks 42nd in ACC history with 2,010 career points.
l Senior Nolan Smith has scored 20 or more points in five consecutive games. He is averaging 26.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, while shooting 61.6 percent (45-of-73) from the field and 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from three-point range in that span.
l Kyle Singler has made 18 three-point field goals in the last six games. He is averaging 19.7 points per game, while shooting 46.2 percent from behind the arc in that span.
l Nolan Smith leads the ACC with seven games with 20 or more points scored. He has topped the 20-point mark in six of the last seven games, including a career-best 33 points on Wednesday.
l Duke has scored 80 or more points in 12 games this season. The Blue Devils have won 27 consecutive games when scoring 80+ points. Duke is 494-46 under Coach K when scoring 80 or more points in a game.
l The Blue Devils rank third the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage (.438) and are tied for fifth nationally in three-point field goals (9.5 3pg.). Duke has made 10 or more threes in a game six times and has made 60 more treys than its opponents.
l Following Nolan Smith’s 33-point outing against UAB, Duke is the only team in the country that has had three players score 30 or more points in a game. Kyle Singler and Kyrie Irving also have 30-point efforts this season.
l Duke has trailed more than two minutes in a game twice -- Butler (13:13) and Miami (2:06) -- this season. The Blue Devils have not trailed in six contests and have trailed a total of 20:46 on the year.
24 & Counting
• Duke’s 24-game win streak is the second-longest win streak in school history and the sixth-longest in ACC history.
Longest Win Streaks at Duke1. Dec. 2, 1998 - March 27, 1999 32
2. March 6, 2010 - present 243. March 14, 1991 - Feb. 1, 1992 23
Feb. 26, 1992 - Jan. 6, 1993 23
5. March 4, 2001 - Jan. 2, 2002 22
Longest Win Streaks in ACC History1. North Carolina - Dec. 4, 1956 - Dec. 21, 1957 37
2. N.C. State - Dec. 18, 1973 - Dec. 28, 1974 36
3. Duke - Dec. 2, 1998 - March 27, 1999 32
4. N.C. State - Nov. 27, 1972 - Dec. 7, 1973 29
5. Virginia - March 5, 1980 - Feb. 16, 1981 28
6. Duke - March 6, 2010 - present 24
Home Court Advantage
• Duke’s 28-game win streak at Cameron Indoor Stadium is the second-longest active streak in the NCAA. It is also the fourth-longest in Duke history.
NCAA Home Court Win Streaks
Team Streak Next Game
Kansas 68 Nebraska, 1/15
Duke 28 Maryland, 1/9Kentucky 26 Auburn, 1/11
Murray State 25 Eastern Illinois, 1/20
Duke Home Court Win Streaks
Streak Dates
46 Jan. 13, 1997 - Feb. 9, 2000
41 Nov. 25, 2002 - Feb. 26, 2004
36 Nov. 14, 1990 - Jan. 17, 1993
28 Feb. 22, 2009 - present27 Jan. 13, 1962 - Dec. 5, 1964
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