David Cutcliffe is a highly respected football coach, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and transform struggling programs into competitive teams.
David Cutcliffe is mentioned as a veteran coach whose insights are valued by organizations like Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), which partners with brands and universities to empower student-athletes and provides platforms for discussions on athlete development.
David Cutcliffe was named Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Football Relations by the Southeastern Conference. In this role, he provides guidance on game management, communications, playing rules, and national policies to enhance football competition within the SEC.
David Cutcliffe has worked with NFL players like Peyton and Eli Manning, and has been critical of certain aspects of the quarterback guru business, emphasizing his different approach to player development.
David Cutcliffe served as a mentor to Daniel Jones, who became the starting quarterback for the New York Giants after being drafted 6th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Thaddeus Lewis, a quarterback mentored by Cutcliffe at Duke, played for the Buffalo Bills, throwing for 1,092 yards in 2013.
Noah Gray, a tight end coached by Cutcliffe at Duke, was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 5th round of the NFL Draft.
Chris Rumph II, a player coached by Cutcliffe, was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 4th round of the NFL Draft.
Michael Carter II, a player who played under David Cutcliffe, was drafted by the New York Jets in the 5th round of the NFL Draft.
Victor Dimukeje, a player coached by Cutcliffe, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 6th round of the NFL Draft.
Jamison Crowder, a wide receiver coached by Cutcliffe, was a fourth-round pick of the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Ross Cockrell, a cornerback coached by Cutcliffe, was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Sean Renfree, a quarterback coached by Cutcliffe, was a seventh-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Deuce McAllister, a running back coached by Cutcliffe at Ole Miss, was a first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in the 2001 NFL Draft.
David Cutcliffe was born on September 16, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama. He began his coaching career at Banks High School, his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach for four years before becoming head coach in 1980. His early career also included a significant tenure at the University of Tennessee from 1982 to 1998, where he progressed from a part-time assistant to Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach. During this period, he played a crucial role in developing quarterbacks like Heath Shuler, Tee Martin, and future NFL MVP Peyton Manning, contributing to five SEC championships and a national title in 1998. He earned the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the country in 1998.
Cutcliffe’s first head coaching opportunity came at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1998. Over six seasons, he led the Rebels to a 44-29 record, with five winning seasons and five bowl game appearances. A significant achievement was guiding Ole Miss to a 10-win season in 2003, a share of the SEC Western Division championship, and a victory in the Cotton Bowl. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2003. At Ole Miss, he mentored Eli Manning, who became a first-round NFL Draft pick and Super Bowl MVP. After a brief health-related hiatus, he returned to Tennessee as Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach for the 2006-2007 seasons, helping the team to a 19-8 record and two Outback Bowl appearances.
In December 2007, Cutcliffe was appointed the 21st head football coach at Duke University, taking over a program that had struggled for decades. He led a significant turnaround, culminating in 57 victories over eight years, six bowl appearances, and three bowl championships. The 2013 season was historic, with Duke achieving a school-record 10 wins, capturing the ACC Coastal Division championship, and making an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. For his efforts, Cutcliffe received National Coach of the Year honors from multiple outlets, including the Football Coaches Association, Bobby Dodd Foundation, Maxwell Football Club, Sporting News, and Walter Camp Foundation, in addition to being named ACC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. His tenure at Duke included mentoring two NFL first-round draft picks, Laken Tomlinson (2014) and Daniel Jones (2019). He mutually parted ways with Duke in 2021 after 14 seasons. In March 2022, he was named Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Football Relations by the Southeastern Conference.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.