In the world of college football, the name David Cutcliffe is synonymous with two elements: high-octane offense and the Mannings.
In his fifth year as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, Cutcliffe is proving once again that his offensive scheme is one of the best in the country.
Led by Cutcliffe’s mind and the strong right arm of Eli Manning, the Rebels are atop the Southeastern Conference in scoring offense and total offense – an offense that has led them to the best record in the SEC at 6-0.
Cutcliffe became the Rebels’ head coach on Dec. 2, 1998 after serving 17 seasons at the University of Tennessee. At Tennessee, Cutcliffe worked his way through the system and became assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1992 under Phillip Fulmer.
By 1998, he had led Tennessee to the height of its run throughout the 1990s as the Vols won the national championship. He left the team to join the Rebels just before the national championship game win against Florida State, but his offense was well in place.
With only 29 days to prepare for the Independence Bowl, Cutcliffe implemented what he could and led the Rebels to a 35-18 win against Texas Tech.
Of his past 10 years of coaching, nine had something distinctly in common – a Manning as his quarterback.
From 1994-1997, Cutcliffe molded Eli’s older brother Peyton Manning into arguably the best college quarterback of the ’90s.
Peyton said Cutcliffe played a key role in his development at Tennessee.
“I was sure when he was my quarterback coach and offensive coordinator that he was sure to be a head coach one day,” Peyton said. “I am glad it did not come until I had finished my college career. I am pleased that my brother Eli has had the same direction coach Cutcliffe awarded me. I know Eli and Ole Miss are benefitting from his leadership and knowledge.”
After keeping things rolling in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1998 with Tee Martin under center, Cutcliffe took the post in Oxford, Miss., after Tommy Tuberville left for Auburn and immediately got on the phone with a well-known high school senior.
“When I got the job, I immediately called Eli and told him, ‘We’re going to recruit you hard,'” Cutcliffe said. “Actually, I think it was the first call I made.”
In the past four years, Ole Miss has set many school records on the offensive side of the ball, including points scored in a season, total offense, most passing yards and most first downs.
Cutcliffe said his offensive philosophy is to examine the personnel he has and to try and use it to the team’s advantage. He added that it is important to be balanced in the SEC because a one-dimensional offense rarely will succeed.
“When I talk about balance – and this is where not everybody understands what that means – I’m not referring to 50/50 run and pass,” Cutcliffe said. “What balance is is maintaining the ability to run and throw on any down that you choose to do so.”
Through eight games, Ole Miss (8-2) is averaging 459.6 yards per game – 299.9 passing and 159.7 rushing – good for first in the SEC and 13th in the nation.
“We’ve played extremely well up front this year,” Cutcliffe said. “We have a balanced offensive line that is good at protecting the quarterback.”
Cutcliffe said Ole Miss will have to rely heavily on the Rebels’ offensive line Saturday against an LSU defense that shows multiple looks and brings a myriad of blitzes.
“They always have something you haven’t seen,” Cutcliffe said. “They bring lots of pressure and different looks. They do an outstanding job with their defensive scheme.”
Cutcliffe will put the ball in the hands of his established leader, senior Eli Manning, and hope he can lead the Rebels to an SEC Championship, something he was able to do during Peyton’s senior year.
Cutcliffe said he is sad to see his nine years of coaching a player with the last name Manning come to an end, but he said it has been a great experience for him.
“I don’t know if any coach in America could be any more fortunate than to have the opportunity to coach a Manning for nine years,” Cutcliffe said. “My association with them has been nothing but positive. I have gained so much as a person, and certainly I have gained so much as a coach.
“The entire family’s friendship is important to me and one that I look forward to maintaining beyond these nine years and for a lifetime.”