The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Duke: a football coaching history

National Program II#58 of 138–
See Duke’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Wallace Wade
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
David Cutcliffe
Regional Program V → National Program III (+21.9)
The fall
Tom Harp
Power Program III → National Program III (−12.5)
Right now
Manny Diaz
the 4th-best of Duke's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)WadeMurrayHarpMcGeeGoldsmithFranksRoofCutcliffe19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Manny Diazcaretaker
Manny Diaz moved Duke from National Program III to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
18–9
2023–2023
Trooper Taylorshort tenure
1–0
2022–2023
Mike Elkoshort tenure
16–9
2008–2021
David Cutcliffebuilder
David Cutcliffe raised Duke from Regional Program V to National Program III.
+21.9
77–97
2003–2007
Ted Roofcaretaker
Ted Roof held Duke at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
6–45
1999–2003
Carl Frankscaretaker
Carl Franks held Duke at Regional Program III for 5 seasons.
Regional Program III
7–45
1994–1998
Fred Goldsmithcaretaker
Fred Goldsmith slid Duke from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
17–39
1990–1993
Barry Wilsoncaretaker
Barry Wilson held Duke at Regional Program II for 4 seasons.
Regional Program II
13–30
1987–1989
Steve Spurriercaretaker
Steve Spurrier moved Duke from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
20–13
1983–1986
Steve Sloancaretaker
Steve Sloan held Duke at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
−8.2
13–31
1979–1982
Red Wilsoncaretaker
Red Wilson held Duke at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
16–27
1971–1978
Mike McGeecaretaker
Mike McGee held Duke at National Program III for 8 seasons.
National Program III
37–47
1966–1970
Tom Harpcaretaker
Tom Harp slid Duke from Power Program III to National Program I in 5 seasons.
−12.5
22–28
1951–1965
Bill Murraycaretaker
Bill Murray held Duke at Power Program II for 15 seasons.
Power Program II
93–51
1936–1950
Wallace Wadecaretaker
Wallace Wade held Duke at Power Program I for 11 seasons.
Power Program I
74–25