David Cutcliffe To Join SEC in Administrative Role

Longtime college football coach David Cutcliffe is returning to the SEC, but will not be leading a program this time around. Instead, the former Tennessee and Ole Miss coach will take on a role as special assistant to commissioner Greg Sankey for football relations.

The college football veteran takes his new position just over a month after rumors swirled of the ex-Blue Devil taking an off-field role with Steve Sarkisian's staff in Austin.

Texas, one of the top players in the 2023 Arch Manning sweepstakes, sought to bring Cutcliffe on as a senior analyst, undoubtedly attempting to capitalize on his existing relationship with the Manning family.

Having coached both Peyton and Eli Manning in college, Cutcliffe joining the staff would have certainly been a big selling piece for the Longhorns in their recruiting pitch to Arch, but it looks as if Sarkisian and company will have to find an upper hand elsewhere.

Cutcliffe began his career in the high school ranks before moving up to Tennessee as an assistant and coaching several different position groups, most notably quarterbacks in 1992. The following year, Cutcliffe was named offensive coordinator and served in the role for the next five seasons, winning a national title in 1998.

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After his stint with the Volunteers, Cutcliffe left to take on a head coaching position with Ole Miss where he would also put together some very impressive offensive attacks, even winning a share of the SEC Western Division title in 2003 as well as the Cotton Bowl.

Returning to Tennessee once more, Cutcliffe spent just a single season with the Vols before taking another head coaching position at Duke University where he would spend the next 14 seasons, compiling a 77-97 record with three bowl victories.

What exactly his new position holds has yet to be seen, but Cutcliffe will certainly not be wearing burnt orange anytime soon, and the Longhorns will need to be a little more creative if they hope to land Arch Manning.