MacIntyre takes over Duke defense

Jan 2, 2008 - 7:16 PM DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- New Duke coach David Cutcliffe started filling out his staff Wednesday, naming Mike MacIntyre as defensive coordinator.

MacIntyre is reunited with Cutcliffe after working on his staff at Mississippi from 1999 to 2002, serving first as wide receivers coach before switching to the defensive secondary.

"I've had the good fortune to have worked with Mike before," Cutcliffe said. "He is an outstanding person and an outstanding coach. His experience expands through college football as well as the NFL. He is a tremendous recruiter who will be a great addition to Duke University."

MacIntyre heads to Durham from the NFL, where he spent 2007 as the New York Jets' defensive backs coach.

MacIntyre became Cutcliffe's first appointment as the new head coach can focus fully on Duke, having directed Tennessee's offense in the 21-17 victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday.

Cutcliffe is now expected to raid the Volunteers' staff for two more coaches.

According to a report in Wednesday's Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tennessee tight ends coach Matt Luke told his players Tuesday he was going to Duke, while running backs coach Kurt Roper could also head to Durham.