David Cutcliffe and Duke Can Recruit Too

Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe reacts from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to overstate how bad the situation was at Duke when David Cutcliffe took over in 2008. From 1995 to 2007, the program had three winless seasons, including two that were back to back, only had more than 3 wins twice, and only had more than 2 wins four times. The program had a total of 22 wins during those 13 years, which is less then 2 wins a year on average.

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But we all already know the wonders Cutcliffe has worked with the Blue Devils since he got there, and for those of us who have seen him coach in the past, it wasn’t too much of a shock. But what’s going on now is.

Not only is Cutcliffe coaching Duke to 10-win seasons. He’s now winning on the recruiting trail, which is something that has been questioned in the past and may have played a part in his firing at Ole Miss.

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With the First Pick

Currently, Duke has the 20th ranked recruiting class on Rivals, and it just beat out USC for four-star tight end Tyler Petite. Seriously, has anyone heard of Duke ever beating out USC for a player that both teams were recruiting heavily?

The Blue Devils’ class now consists of two 4-stars, 12 3-stars, and two 2-stars. That doesn’t seem like a class that will knock anybody’s socks off, but look back at what Cutcliffe has been winning with. Can you guess how many 4-stars he had from 2010 to 2013? One.

Also, when you consider that there are still seven months of recruiting left, a full season to play, and a chance to build Duke’s profile even more, Cutcliffe could add on to what already might be the greatest class in Duke’s history.

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Ball Durham

This all comes with the already known fact that Cutcliffe is great at developing talent. We know about the Manning brothers and those efficient offenses at Tennessee and Ole Miss, and we know about what he has done at Duke. There’s also what many in Knoxville believe to be his greatest coaching job ever: when he came back to Tennessee in 2006 as offensive coordinator and oversaw quarterback Eric Ainge, who had a dismal 2005 season, have the most efficient season at quarterback in Tennessee history statistically.

Now, if Cutcliffe can continue to recruit, and believe me he has a lot he can sell, watch out. The Blue Devil program might be here to stay, and if he continues the success he had last year, it might have to be considered the greatest coaching job in college football’s recent history.