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Duke

Duke coaches on ACC expansion

Jan 11, 2013

On the heels of the ACC's announcement that it is expanding to 14 teams by bringing in the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University one group of ACC coaches seem to be very pleased with the additions.

Head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, head football coach David Cutcliffe and women's basketball coach Joanne McCallie all praised ACC Commissioner John  Swofford  on the move, while complementing the two newest additions to the ACC.

"I am so proud of John Swofford and the leadership of the Atlantic Coast Conference being proactive at a time of tremendous change in intercollegiate athletics," Krzyzewski said. "For us to have such strong leadership in place within our conference is magnificent. The addition of two prestigious academic institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University, coupled with their great tradition in athletics, is a real coup for the ACC."

McCallie echoed Krzyzewski's comments.

“We are thrilled with the direction our conference leadership has taken regarding expansion," McCallie said. "The ACC got stronger -- both academically and athletically -- with the addition of Pittsburgh and Syracuse. Given the prominence of both universities, they will be welcomed additions to our league.”

Cutcliffe spoke along the same lines as his fellow coaches, but made sure to mention how much deeper the league has now become.

"One thing that never wavered during this process was the confidence we had in the leadership at both the conference level with Commissioner Swofford and the institutional level with Dr. Brodhead and Kevin White," Cutcliffe said. "Strengthening the foundation of our league has been a priority, and we've accomplished that goal. The University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University have tremendous traditions in both academics and athletics, and we are proud to have both schools join the ACC."