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Former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and Texas are close to reaching a deal to bring the 67-year old to the Longhorns’ coaching staff, according to 247sports’ Chris Hummer.
According to the report, Cutcliffe would serve in an off-field coaching role, likely as an analyst.
Cutcliffe is one of the best assistant coaches in Tennessee history, serving as offensive coordinator in two different stints.
The Alabama alum first joined Tennessee’s staff in 1982 before working his way up the offensive ranks and becoming offensive coordinator in 1994. Cutcliffe served as offensive coordinator for five-years before taking over as Ole Miss head coach in 1999.
The offensive guru spent five years as Ole Miss head coach, but was terminated following the 2004 season as the team struggled in the post Eli Manning era.
Cutcliffe coached both Peyton Manning and Eli Manning in college and explains one reason Texas would want the veteran coach on their staff. The Longhorns have long been involved in five-star quarterback Arch Manning’s recruitment, but seem to be slipping in the star quarterback’s recruitment.
After taking a year off from coaching, Cutcliffe rejoined Phillip Fulmer’s staff in 2006 and rejuvenated Tennessee’s offense. In two years back in Knoxville, Tennessee wen 20-7 with a SEC east title.
Cutcliffe jumped back into head coaching after the 2007 season, taking over as Duke’s head coach. Cutcliffe provided Duke its best football run in modern history and spent 14-years in Durham. Duke fired Cutcliffe following the 3-9 2021 season.
Both Peyton and Eli have strong relationships with Cutcliffe, going to Duke to train with their former coach during the summers while they were in the NFL.
