David Cutcliffe retires After 40-Year college football career

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 17, 2026) – David Cutcliffe, a former National Coach of the Year and three-time Conference Coach of the Year, who earned a reputation as a meticulous offensive strategist, a patient program builder, and a respected leader of young men, has announced he will retire effective March 31, ending a remarkable 40-year career in college football.

Cutcliffe has served as the Southeastern Conference’s Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Football Relations since 2022.

“I leave this game with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude, especially for the young men I’ve had the privilege to coach,” said Cutcliffe. “The players have always been the reason and the reward. Watching them grow, not just as players, but as students, leaders, sons, husbands, and fathers, has been the greatest joy of my career.

“I’m equally thankful for the outstanding coaches, staff members, and administrators who worked alongside me, but it’s the relationships with our players that I will treasure most,” Cutcliffe said. “They taught me as much as I ever taught them. College football has given me a lifetime of memories and friendships, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be part of so many young lives.”

Prior to joining the SEC office, Cutcliffe concluded a four-decade college coaching career, including 20 years as a head coach at Ole Miss and Duke.  He served as an assistant at Tennessee from 1982 through 1998 and again from 2006 to 2007, the final six seasons as assistant head coach. Throughout his career he was known as a brilliant offensive tactician with a penchant for developing standout quarterbacks, including eight that played in the NFL.

“David Cutcliffe has devoted more than four decades to shaping young men and strengthening the game of football, and his influence reaches far beyond wins and championships,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Throughout his career as a coach, mentor, and most recently as a special assistant in our SEC office, David has served college football with wisdom, integrity, and a genuine care for people. He is a teacher at heart and someone whose counsel and friendship have meant a great deal to many of us across the conference and throughout the game. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the example he has set. I wish David and Karen every happiness in this well-earned retirement.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Cutcliffe attended Banks High School before enrolling at the University of Alabama. He began his coaching career in 1976 at his high school alma mater, later moving to the University of Tennessee in 1982. Rising through the ranks from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator, Cutcliffe helped guide Tennessee to two Southeastern Conference titles and the 1998 national championship, a year in which he won the Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award. As quarterbacks coach, he mentored future NFL standouts including Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler, and Tee Martin.

Cutcliffe served as head coach at the University of Mississippi from 1999 through 2004. There he recruited and developed Eli Manning, leading Ole Miss to a share of the SEC Western Division title in 2003 and a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic. That season marked Ole Miss’ first 10-win campaign in 32 years.  He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2003.

Cutcliffe became head coach at Duke in 2008 and ended an 18-year school bowl drought by leading the Blue Devils to six post-season bowl appearances.  He inherited a program that had only three winning seasons in the previous 25 years and before his arrival had not beaten an ACC opponent in three years.  In 2013 he led Duke to a 10-win season and the ACC Coastal Division title while earning National Coach of the Year honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, the Maxwell Football Club and the Bobby Dodd Foundation.  Duke was led by current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones from 2016-18.  Cutcliffe was named ACC Coach of the year in 2012 and 2013.

Cutcliffe joined the SEC office on March 24, 2022 as Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Football Relations.  Cutcliffe provided guidance to the conference office for the purpose of enhancing the overall quality of football competition in the SEC in areas including game management, communications, playing rules, national policies and scheduling best practices.

“I want to thank Commissioner Greg Sankey for this opportunity and the amazing team of people at the SEC office in Birmingham,” said Cutcliffe. “It’s been a rewarding experience and a great group of teammates to end a football career with. “

He and his wife Karen have four children and ten grandchildren.

OTHER QUOTES ABOUT DAVID CUTCLIFFE:

“Coach Cutcliffe had a huge impact on me. During my time at Tennessee, he didn’t just coach me on throwing mechanics and reading defenses. He taught me about preparation, discipline, and what it means to be a team leader. He pushed his players because he believed in them and wanted the best for us. I’m incredibly grateful for the role he played in my career and my life, and I’m proud to call him my coach and my friend.”

— Peyton Manning, Tennessee quarterback 1994-97

“Coach Cut has been an incredible coach, mentor, and friend to me for the past 27 years. He taught me the importance of doing the common things uncommonly well and taking pride in the smallest details, both in football and in life. His impact on the game can be seen in the many players and coaches he has influenced throughout his career. I’m grateful for everything he has meant to me and to the game of football.”

–Eli Manning, Ole Miss quarterback, 1999-2003

“Growing up in North Carolina, I had an up-close view of Coach Cutcliffe transforming Duke from a struggling program into a perennial competitor in the ACC. The opportunity to play for him and go to Duke was a dream come true and I will forever be indebted to him for giving me that opportunity. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the countless lessons Coach taught me on and off the field. His belief and dedication to developing young athletes not only as football players but as strong young men is something I, along with so many others, benefited from greatly. The game of football and so many lives are better because of Coach Cutcliffe. Thank you for all you have done for me, Coach. Congratulations on a legendary career.”

–Daniel Jones, Duke quarterback, 2015-18