Durham, NC -- (Sports Network) - Duke University has chosen Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe as its next head football coach.

Cutcliffe compiled a 44-29 record as head coach at Mississippi from 1999-2004 and coached the Rebels to four bowl victories against one loss He was previously the offensive coordinator at Tennessee for 17 years and returned to the Volunteers in 2006 in the same capacity.

Duke needed a replacement for Ted Roof, who was fired following the season. Roof, who took over seven games into the 2003 season and had one year remaining on his contract, was a dismal 6-45 in four-plus seasons at the school and lost 25 straight Atlantic Coast Conference games. The Blue Devils finished 2007 at 1-11 and 0-8 in ACC play. Roof's teams never won more than two games in a season and had a disastrous 0-12 campaign in 2006.

"Duke is serious about restoring excitement and a winning tradition to Duke football," Duke president Richard H. Brodhead said. "David Cutcliffe's selection as our head coach shows Duke is committed to helping our players achieve the excellence we seek, both on and off the field. Coach Cutcliffe is a proven motivator and experienced leader, and I am delighted to welcome him to Duke."

The 53-year-old Cutcliffe will continue to serve on the Tennessee staff through the Volunteers' Outback Bowl appearance versus Wisconsin on January 1.

Cutcliffe was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Rebels to a 10-3 record including a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl.