As a long time Duke football fan, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of our team through the years. OK, more lows than highs if were being honest.
Fans have been slow to come to Wallace Wade in Duke Football’s turnaround.
So with each new coaching change came renewed hope of something that at least resembled a step forward instead of living in the cellar’s as the ugly step sister of Clemson’s, Florida St’s, Virginia Tech’s and whoever else wanted to use us as their doormat.
It seemed that with the beginning of each year we tried (in good faith) to make ourselves believe. that regardless of what we really thought or knew deep down in places you don’t like to talk about, that this year would be different, that we really weren’t first cousins to the Chicago Cubs, or the scrawny little kid on the playground that never got picked to play.
But as we know in life just as in sports, most things run in cycles. (Unless of course you are the Chicago Cubs as mentioned earlier), and it seems that finally, yes finally, it has turned our way.
David Cutcliffe has shown with real promise, that he is the man for the job. He has the resume, the credentials and the wherewithal to pul Duke out of the outhouse that was our domain. Cutcliffe has recruited players that are buying in and believing they cannot only compete , but actually win, and after years upon years of what was less than mediocrity, Coach Cut has given us the fans (some of the most critical) something to believe in, something to look forward to.
Duke still has a long road to travel to be serious contenders for an elusive ACC title, but under Coach Cut the foundation is being laid. After taking us to our first Post Season Bowl in many years last season, and pitching a shutout to start the season this year, things are looking up. It can’t be built over night, it can’t be built in a season, but it can be done, it can be built and Cutcliffe has shown that in time he will in fact build it.
It will required continued hard work from Coach Cutcliffe and his staff, it will require continued support from the powers that be at Duke, step by small step it is finally happening, and with all the new renovations planned Duke University has shown it believes in Cutcliffe, the players have shown they believe in Cutcliffe, its finally time for fans to believe in Cutcliffe.
