.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Cutcliffe Sets Lofty Personal, Professional and Family Goals
9/13/2001 | Football
Sept. 13, 2001
By Tobie Baker
University Publications
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss head football coach David Cutcliffe is always angling for that 10-pound bass.
Early in his coaching career, he realized his profession would be time consuming. He gave up golf. Then, after putting the kids to bed, Cutcliffe would strike out to a nearby pond or private lake in search of the big one.
"Fishing was a way to do something recreational without taking away from family time," he said.
"What I do now, if I can get an hour or two, and one of the kids wants to go, I'll go out and kind of unwind," he added. "It's my favorite way to unwind."
Relaxing isn't easy, given his schedule.
In addition to the x's and o's of football, the third-year head coach's duties include recruiting, speaking engagements, alumni functions, charity events and the day-to-day operations of running a football program.
At the heart of it all, Cutcliffe remains committed to building a successful football program at Ole Miss.
"I don't want to be a flash in the pan," he said. "I don't want to have up and down years. I'd like to have consistently good years, and hopefully, end up with some of those great years in the process."
That requires perseverance, which he said he learned early in his coaching career working under Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer.
"Phillip's relentless in getting tasks done, and I think, working with him for 17 years, that rubbed off on me," Cutcliffe said.
But he says his greatest influence is his mother, who taught him the most important lessons to learn in life, after his father's death when the now-coach was a child.
"You have to be both a tough warrior and a respectful, loving person," Cutcliffe said. "My mom is that way, so I try to be."
The sentiment is seen through the decision he and his wife, Karen, made early in their marriage to devote time to their family. While Cutcliffe doesn't regret it, he does admit that balancing his coaching duties with his family is a challenge.
"We really have to work hard to take advantage of family time," he said.
Over his 20 years of coaching, Cutcliffe said his family has learned to make the most of any opportunity they have together. Precious family moments are sometimes few and far between, he admits.
That includes game-day Saturdays. Fourteen-year-old son, Chris, is on the sidelines working with the team's managerial staff. Daughter Katie, 12, is rooting for the Rebels with friends in the stands, and year-old daughter, Emily, is with her mom cheering from the press box.
"There are no bigger fans of the Ole Miss Rebel football team than my family," Cutcliffe said. "It's more than just a fan type attitude. It's what we do. It's who we are."
