In just nine short seasons, Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe has revived a Blue Devil program that won just four games in four years prior to his arrival in Durham.
Now, Duke fans will have four more seasons to look forward to with one of the most successful leaders in school history.
Cutcliffe's contract with the Blue Devils was extended through June 2021 per an announcement by Duke Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White Monday morning. The 62-year old has compiled a 52-61 record with the Blue Devils—including a 10-win season in 2013 that saw Duke capture the ACC Coastal Division title. Cutcliffe also helped the Blue Devils pick up their first bowl win in 54 years when Duke knocked off Indiana in the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl 44-41.
“Simply put, Duke University is terribly honored and very proud to have one of the truly pinnacle football coaches in the country leading the Blue Devil program into the next decade,” White said in a release. "With David’s innovation, vision, passion, not to mention well-seasoned expertise, our student-athletes will continue to enjoy, both academically and athletically, the very best experience within the broader enterprise that is college football."
Cutcliffe collected ACC Coach of the Year honors in both 2012 and 2013 as Duke made four straight bowl game appearances between 2012 and 2015 before the streak ended last season. In 2016, the Blue Devils struggled to a 4-8 mark—their worst since 2011—but began to find some footing with now-redshirt sophomore Daniel Jones under center.
With spring practice well in the rearview mirror and its head coach now locked up for the foreseeable future, Duke will turn its attention to the beginning of summer and its upcoming season. The Blue Devils open their 2017-18 campaign with home contests against N.C. Central, Northwestern and Baylor on first three Saturdays of September.
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