Duke Legend Mike McGee Passes

Former Duke football star and later head coach Mike McGee has passed away in Montrose. He was 80.

McGee was the 1959 Outland Trophy winner, played in the NFL and coached Duke from 1971-78. He later moved into administration and was a successful AD at Cincinnati, Southern Cal and South Carolina.

He was by all accounts a decent man. His time as Duke’s coach came as Duke was falling from a football power into mediocrity. It was very unlike his era.

Yet he kept Duke competitive and respectable, certainly compared to what would come later.

Current Duke coach David Cutcliffe said this: “Coach McGee was a man we could all admire. Obviously, he played the game at the highest level and had success as both a coach and administrator, but his integrity, kindness and leadership qualities commanded respect from everyone who knew him. Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and loved ones.”