bstrickland@heraldsun.com; 419-6671
DURHAM -- The second departure of a Tennessee football coach in a little more than a year has Duke fans nervous about the possibility that their coach might consider departing.
David Cutcliffe's name is being bandied about as a possible replacement for Lane Kiffin, who was named head coach at Southern Cal on Wednesday after just one season at Tennessee.
When longtime Volunteers coach Phillip Fulmer announced he wouldn't return for another season in November of 2008, Cutcliffe announced the next day that he wasn't interested in being considered for the position.
Cutcliffe, however, made no such pronouncement Wednesday.
Cutcliffe had not been contacted by Tennessee officials as of early Wednesday evening, according to Duke sports information director Art Chase. Chase said that Cutcliffe was in Durham on Wednesday night, though he didn't attend Duke's basketball game against Boston College.
Cutcliffe is a common-sense candidate for the position, having spent 19 seasons during two stints on Fulmer's staff.
Cutcliffe has left and returned to the Tennessee staff before, leaving for his first head coaching job at Mississippi and then returning to his offensive coordinator role for two seasons before taking the job at Duke.
In addition, any wounds from Fulmer's forced departure have had some time to heal.
On the other hand, Cutcliffe clearly is energized by the challenge that Duke presents and is off to a strong start, having won nine games during his first two seasons after the program won a total of 10 games in the eight seasons before his arrival.
Cutcliffe also is known to be intensely loyal, something he has seemed to quickly instill in the Duke football program.
"I really believe that this is home," Cutcliffe said the day after the Blue Devils' 2009 season finale. "I'm very passionate about what we're doing and who we're doing it with. I deeply believe in my heart that we will get it done here.
"I couldn't ask to be in a better place. That's how I feel. I think we've got the best job in America. We're thrilled to be here."
Fans should know the outcome sooner rather than later: Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference that he hoped to name Kiffin's replacement by the weekend.
The long list of potential candidates includes Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Boise State coach Chris Petersen, TCU coach Gary Patterson and interim Tennessee head coach Kippy Brown.
