Cutcliffe may be target for Tennessee

Jan 15, 2010 - 3:57 AM By BETH RUCKER AP Sports Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.(AP) -- Duke coach and former Tennessee assistant David Cutcliffe appears to be the target of the Volunteers' search for a new head coach.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton has kept quiet about his candidates to replace Lane Kiffin, who abruptly resigned Tuesday night to coach Southern California. Duke spokesman Art Chase called reports of a deal between Cutcliffe and Tennessee inaccurate, and Hamilton told The Associated Press by text message late Thursday that he's "still working" on interviews.

Cutcliffe twice served on Tennessee's staff and spent eight years as the Vols' offensive coordinator under former coach Phillip Fulmer.

In between his stints in Knoxville, Cutcliffe coached at Mississippi for six seasons and has developed quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning during his career.

Junior defensive end Chris Walker, who was around for Cutcliffe's last season with the Vols, said the team would be happy with someone like him.

"Sometimes you can bring guys in that really don't understand Tennessee, really don't understand playing in the SEC or coaching in the SEC," Walker said, adding that Kiffin's staff didn't understand Tennessee traditions or fans.

"Hopefully we can get a coach in that understands that, which will help us out."

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun released a statement Thursday saying he was looking forward to coaching the Falcons in 2010, ending speculation that he was a candidate.

"We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season," Calhoun said in the statement. "We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010."

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and TCU coach Gary Patterson have both said they have not been contacted by Tennessee. Another possible candidate, East Carolina coach Skip Holtz, accepted the head coaching job at South Florida on Thursday.

Interim Tennessee coach Kippy Brown said he was a candidate for the job, and Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley and Connecticut coach Randy Edsall could be in the mix.

Hamilton said Wednesday he wanted a new coach in place before coaches could begin live recruiting again on Sunday. He also said he didn't mind taking an extra day if it meant bringing in the right coach.

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AP Sports Writer Joedy McCreary in Durham, N.C., contributed to this report.