By FITSNews || Former University of South Carolina assistant coach Skip Holtz is leaving East Carolina for South Florida, while former Tennessee offensive coordinator (and current Duke head coach) David Cutcliffe has apparently landed the coveted (well, unless your name is Lane Kiffin) Volunteers head coaching slot.
In fact, the Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting Friday that Cutcliffe has already been hired and is in the process of assembling his coaching staff.
Holtz went 38-27 in five seasons at ECU, including two Conference USA titles. He will replace Jim Leavitt at South Florida, who was fired after a University investigation found that he physically abused a player – and then attempted to cover it up. Leavitt was 94-57 in 13 seasons with the Bulls, during which time the program successfully transitioned from Division I-AA to the Big East conference.
Cutcliffe has a 53-44 record as a head coach, including a successful stint at Ole Miss from 1998-2004 that included four bowl victories. In two seasons at Duke, Cutcliffe won more games (9) than the program had recorded in its previous five seasons. He also had two incredibly successful stints as UT’s offensive coordinator, from 1993-98 and then again from 2006-07.
UPDATE: Wow. It must suck to be the Knoxville News-Sentinel right about now. ESPN is reporting that Cutcliffe has taken his name out of the running for the UT job and will stay at Duke.
By Toyota Kawaski January 15, 2010 at 9:14 am
Seems like a lateral move for Skip. USF doesnt even have its own stadium of course Florida is fertile recruiting territory.Plus gives Lou and the Mrs a chance to see the grand kids more.
By HIPAA Violator January 15, 2010 at 9:26 am
Wrong.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/8242/cutcliffe-withdraws-name-at-tennessee
By Liberty For Me January 15, 2010 at 9:28 am
I hope Holtz can keep the historical rise of USF going…GO BULLS
By X January 15, 2010 at 10:18 am
From east carolina to south florida is lateral at best.
By Jeffy January 15, 2010 at 10:39 am
Cutcliffe won’t go. Those black jerseys scared him away
By Nelvis January 15, 2010 at 10:44 am
Here we go again. Yes, let’s give him praise….You did a really good job Skippy…..Now I’m tired of that. He came in and did what he was paid to do. Obviously not paid enough….Greed in football? How much money do ya need Skip?
Start to build a program and then run for the BCS leagues. Sometimes it’s ok to be differnt from Daddy. BCS aka monopoly on college football. Why should he stay at Greenville? He’s done all he can with them….right? Beats all instate rivals…ah nope; Finishes out his contract…..stee…rike two; finishes seasons with bowl wins against BCS conference opponents…..yer out!
If family was an issue, should have gone to Florida with the halfbacks long ago! Your kids are at the ages where they are making friends here! But that’s not important. Let’s uproot them too. But hey….it’s all about Skippy…..You’re moving to Florida……
But if you don’t like the Emerald City and the great Purple and Gold; get out. Let’s help him pack. Call Lane Kiffin and ask him how to leave town quietly….RUN back to Dad Skippy!
By What a reaction January 15, 2010 at 11:26 am
Wow. The cracks on Skip are amazing.
It isn’t a lateral move, because it’s a BCS conference.
It’s a small step up.
By Liberty For Me January 16, 2010 at 7:55 am
Since you doucewads want to diss USF….They have existed now about 10 years as a football team….In that time they probably have won more bowl games than USC and were nationlly ranked as high as 4th….
They have reached their position faster than any college in history.
I try to support USC,but when you morons start talking out your ass…You need to think where your comments are coming from.
By Liberty For Me January 16, 2010 at 7:56 am
By the way…what conference is UCONN from????morons
By sh January 16, 2010 at 4:01 pm
u people who think skip coming to usf is “lateral at best” must have your heads so far up ur a$$es that u think it’s night at all times