With the recent departure of Mike Elko to become the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, Duke University is on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator to lead their football program. Several candidates have been rumored to be in the running for the position, including Curt Cignetti and Jason Garrett.
Curt Cignetti is currently the head coach at James Madison University, where he has had great success leading the Dukes to multiple playoff appearances and a national championship. Cignetti has a strong defensive background, having previously served as the defensive coordinator at Alabama and North Carolina State. His experience and success at the collegiate level make him a strong candidate for the Duke defensive coordinator position.
Jason Garrett, on the other hand, is a former NFL head coach who most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. While Garrett is known for his offensive expertise, he also has extensive experience in the NFL and could bring a new perspective to the Duke defense. With his track record in coaching, his leadership and strategic thinking could be valuable assets for the Blue Devils.
Other potential candidates for the position include current Duke defensive line coach Ben Albert, who has been with the program since 2016 and has been instrumental in developing the team’s defensive line talent. Additionally, former NFL linebacker and current assistant head coach at Michigan, Brian Jean-Mary, is also rumored to be in consideration for the role.
Whoever Duke ultimately selects will need to be able to build on the success that Elko had in his time with the program. Elko’s aggressive and disciplined defensive strategies led to significant improvement for the Blue Devils’ defensive unit.
The new defensive coordinator will have big shoes to fill, but with the right candidate, the Duke defense could continue to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.
It will be interesting to see who Duke ultimately chooses, but whoever it is, they will have a great opportunity to make an impact and contribute to the continued success of the program.