Legendary coach David Cutcliffe, architect of Duke's resurgence, hangs up his whistle after a decorated career impacting countless young lives.
Since 2008, Duke has only had three head coaches.
That year, David Cutcliffe was taken with the task of turning around the program that had won just a total of 13 games from 1999 during the eras of Carl Franks and Ted Roof.
Cutcliffe eventually turned the Blue Devils into a bowl contender. Mike Elko continued to elevate the program until he left for Texas A&M before the 2024 campaign.
Manny Diaz has gone 18-9 with Duke, most recently winning the ACC championship.
Per a news release by the SEC, Cutcliffe announced his retirement from college football. He had served as the SEC's special assistant to the commissioner for football relations since 2022.
“I leave this game with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude, especially for the young men I’ve had the privilege to coach,” said Cutcliffe.
“The players have always been the reason and the reward. Watching them grow, not just as players, but as students, leaders, sons, husbands, and fathers, has been the greatest joy of my career."
Cutcliffe coached Ole Miss from 1998 to 2004. He went 44-29 with the Rebels, winning four bowl games.
It took Cutcliffe a few years to turn things around at Duke, but the program made a bowl appearance in 2012.
Cutcliffe coached at Duke through the 2021 campaign. He went 77-97 overall and 35-79 in ACC play with the Blue Devils. Duke went to six bowl games under Cutcliffe and won three bowl contests.
Without Cutcliffe, the program might not have landed a coach like Elko.
Cutcliffe, 71, thanked his former staff members, administrators and players for helping him in his career.
“I’m equally thankful for the outstanding coaches, staff members, and administrators who worked alongside me, but it’s the relationships with our players that I will treasure most,” Cutcliffe said.
“They taught me as much as I ever taught them. College football has given me a lifetime of memories and friendships, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be part of so many young lives.”
Cutcliffe won ACC Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2013. He earned the Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year in 2013.
Duke went 10-4 in 2013.