Texas close to hiring former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe

Second-year Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian is trying to improve his staff with multiple new hires so far this offseason. Just in the first couple months of the offseason, Texas has already hired the likes of new wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, running backs coach Tashard Choice, and special assistant Gary Patterson to join this coaching staff.

And it appears that Sark and the Longhorns are still busy at work trying to reshape this coaching staff in 2022. According to a report from 247Sports on Feb. 7, Texas is targeting former Duke Blue Devils longtime head coach David Cutcliffe to join the staff this offseason.

This report specifically notes that there is a “good possibility” that Cutcliffe could join the Longhorns coaching staff in an off-field role. Here’s more on what this 247Sports report has to say on the matter of Texas pursuing Cutcliffe to join this staff.

"There’s a “good possibility” former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe joins Texas’ staff in an off-field capacity, a source tells 247Sports.The 67-year-old Cutcliffe retired from Duke on Nov. 28 following a 14-year run as the program’s head coach. If Cutcliffe does join the Longhorn staff it would likely be in a role as senior offensive analyst."

Texas football reportedly has a “good possibility” of hiring David Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe would be a big addition to the Longhorns staff for multiple reasons. First and foremost, he has connections to the Manning family and is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks. Cutcliffe was the passing game coordinator with the Tennessee Volunteers in 1992. He would later be promoted to the role of offensive coordinator at Tennessee from 1993-1998.

That is where Cutcliffe coached up the former Vols star quarterback Peyton Manning during his time in Knoxville.

And then from 1998-2004, Cutcliffe was the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. That is where he coached up another star quarterback and Peyton’s brother, Eli Manning.

The Manning connection and quarterback development track record that Cutcliffe brings to the table could help out both with Quinn Ewers currently and the recruitment/potential future development of 5-Star 2023 QB Arch Manning for the Longhorns.

It goes without saying that the impact Cutcliffe can bring to the table for the Texas coaching staff would be enormous.

Most recently, Cutcliffe was Duke’s head coach from 2008-2021. That is the longest he ever held one position in the college football coaching ranks. During his 14 seasons with Duke, Cutcliffe registered a record of 77-97. And during his seven years as Ole Miss’s head coach, Cutcliffe registered a record of 44-29.

It sounds like the discussions between Texas and Cutcliffe are still ongoing. From what we’ve seen so far, this isn’t a guaranteed thing to happen. But it does look like there is some real traction between the Longhorns staff and Cutcliffe. We will continue to monitor this ongoing storyline as it updates.