It had been quite some time since Duke coach David Cutcliffe turned on game tape and watched not only his team slip down a notch, but his own habits slip down a notch, too.
A 4-8 season will force any coach into a critical self-evaluation. He watched close losses in the fourth quarter. He saw missed tackles, too many explosive plays given up on defense and not enough on offense.
“Where can I get better?” he thought to himself. Finding the answer and acting on it is what separates successful coaches from most others. And the answer is perhaps as crucial as any this offseason as Cutcliffe begins his 10th season with the Blue Devils.