Report: Texas honing in on former ACC head coach, quarterback guru

Texas is honing in on former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe for an position on their staff. According to a report from Chris Hummer, the Longhorns are zeroing in on adding Cutcliffe to their staff.

“There’s a “good possibility” former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe joins Texas’ staff in an off-field capacity, a source tells 247Sports,” wrote Hummer. “The 67-year-old Cutcliffe retired from Duke on Nov. 28 following a 14-year run as the program’s head coach.

“If Cutcliffe does join the Longhorn staff it would likely be in a role as senior offensive analyst.”

A highly-respected offensive mind and quarterback developer, Cutcliffe’s next venture has been greatly debated. If Texas can bring him in to help with star recruit Quinn Ewers, it’ll be a huge coup for the Longhorns.

Additionally, Cutcliffe’s connections to the Manning family won’t hurt as Steve Sarkisian and company recruit Arch Manning. If the coach who means so much to the family can help Texas land the quarterback, his addition will be worth its weight in gold.

Sarkisian on Texas hiring former coaches: ‘I just kind of lean back into my time at Alabama.’

Furthermore, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian learned a bevy of tactics from his time under Nick Saban. Evidently, one of those lessons was the impact former head coaches can have on your program.

Last week, Sarkisian explained how his experience under Saban led him to hire Gary Patterson to the Texas staff. As the Alabama head coach has implemented a system for former head coaches to contribute with the Crimson Tide, Sarkisian is doing the same with the Longhorns.

“Adding Gary Patterson on staff, as kind of my special assistant, in an area I just kind of lean back into my time at Alabama and Coach Saban,” stated Sarkisian. “That was not uncommon for head coaches that maybe were taking a year or two to come on board at Alabama. When I was there, my last year, I think we had five former head coaches on staff. Actually six former head coaches on staff. Four of which were analysts at that time.

“So, anytime you can get somebody with the wealth of experience and knowledge — 21 years as a head coach in the Big 12 conference in the state of Texas. Just a valuable asset for us on a lot of fronts. So, we’re excited to have him on-board, as well.”

As Sarkisian mentions, Patterson has immense experience in the position the Texas coach is getting used to. To have such a talented coach to lean back on for wisdom will be invaluable for Steve Sarkisian and Texas.