David Cutcliffe

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David Cutcliffe, former head football coach at the University of Mississippi
David Cutcliffe, former head football coach at the University of Mississippi

David Cutcliffe (born September 16, 1954) is the offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the former head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. He is best-known for coaching Peyton Manning at Tennessee and Eli Manning at Ole Miss and for producing record setting offenses at both schools. Almost all offensive records at both schools were set during Cutcliffe's time as coach. As a head coach, he had compiled a career record of 44-29.

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[edit] Youth

Cutcliffe was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He had two brothers and three sisters. Cutcliffe attended Banks High School in Birmingham where he played football. He attended the University of Alabama where he worked as a student assistant on Bear Bryant's Alabama staff.

[edit] Early coaching history

Cutcliffe's coaching career began at Banks High School where he served as an assistant and later as the head coach. In 1982 he was hired as a part time coach at the University of Tennessee. A year later Cutcliffe was promoted to full time status as the tight ends and assistant offensive line coach. By 1990 Cutcliffe was coaching the position he is now so well known for, quarterbacks. In 1993 Cutcliffe was promoted to offensive coordinator. As coordinator, Cutcliffe helped lead the vols to two SEC Championships and a National Championship.

[edit] Head Coaching

On December 2, 1998, Cutcliffe was hired as the head football coach at Ole Miss. Cutcliffe was fired by Ole Miss's Athletic Director Pete Boone in December 2004 after Cutcliffe refused to fire his assistant coaches. Boone had asked Cutcliffe to provide a detailed plan for improving the program, specifically the defense, and Cut refused and was fired. The media has been critical of the firing by Ole Miss, but the fact remains, Cutcliffe has not be offered another head coaching job since leaving Ole Miss.

[edit] Post Mississippi

After his stint at Mississippi, Cutcliffe was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, but health problems forced him to resign. After taking a year off he returned to Knoxville, where he had coached Tennessee's offense during the 1990s and where his sons, Chris Cutcliffe and Marcus Hilliard, attend college. After Randy Sanders resigned as offensive coordinator at Tennessee, Phillip Fulmer hired Cutcliffe, who ironically was Sanders's predecessor at Tennessee.

Cutcliffe has led a major turnaround of the Tennessee offense during the 2006 season. Tennessee has players in the top 25 in passing (Erik Ainge) and top 3 in receiving (Robert Meachem).

[edit] QB Coaching

Cutcliffe has coached NFL quarterbacks Heath Shuler, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning. Cutcliffe also has coached college players Brady Quinn and Erik Ainge. Both players are considered solid NFL prospects.

[edit] Family

Cutcliffe is married to the former Karen Oran of Harriman, TN. They have four children: Marcus (20), Chris (19), Katie (17), and Emily (6).

[edit] Head Coaching Record

TEAM YEAR(Bowl Game) WINS LOSSES
University of Mississippi 1998 (Independence Bowl) 1 0
University of Mississippi 1999 (Independence Bowl) 8 4
University of Mississippi 2000 (Music City Bowl) 7 5
University of Mississippi 2001 7 4
University of Mississippi 2002 (Independence Bowl) 7 6
University of Mississippi 2003 (Cotton Bowl) 10 3
University of Mississippi 2004 4 7
CAREER TOTAL 6 years 44 29

[edit] References

Preceded by
Tommy Tuberville
University of Mississippi Head Football Coaches
19992004
Succeeded by
Ed Orgeron

Bondurant • Clark • Fairbanks • Hollister • Scarbrough • Lyon • Estes • Shibley • Martin • Harvey • Hammond • Mason • Stauffer • De Tray • DriverRobbins • Noble • Sullivan • Cowell • Barnard • Hazel • Walker • MehreDrewVaught • Kinard • Cooper • SloanBrewerDunnTubervilleCutcliffeOrgeron