David Cutcliffe staying at Duke

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Duke University football Coach David Cutcliffe said Friday he will stay with the ACC school and would not be a candidate for the vacancy at Tennessee.

Cutcliffe, an offensive coordinator under former Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer and an Alabama graduate, has compiled a 9-15 record in two seasons in Durham and will return 41 lettermen -- 17 starters -- from his 2009 squad.

The 5-7 mark last season was Duke's best record since 1994.

"I've said all along that what makes Duke so special is the people, and that is the truth," Cutcliffe said in a statement on the school's Web site. "We have the best coaching staff in the country and are convinced that we will continue to build a successful football program that both the Duke and Durham communities will be proud of. (My) Karen and I reached the decision that Duke is the place for our family."

The Tennessee job became vacant this week when Lane Kiffin resigned after one season to succeed Pete Carroll as head coach at the University of Southern California.