It's pretty much a given that a coaching change will instill new life into a football program.

And the change of attitude at Duke, where David Cutcliffe took over as coach when Ted Roof produced only six victories in four-plus seasons, was evident in the spring.

The players spoke of the renewed emphasis on strength and conditioning in assessing their first workouts under their new coaches.

"This staff is very energetic, and energy is contagious," junior defensive lineman Vince Oghobaase said. "It's going to make us a better team -- a better defense."

The goal now, of course, will be to translate that energy into victories.

Duke hasn't had a winning season since 1994, when the Blue Devils were 8-4 and played in their last bowl game. They are 20-125 since then with four winless campaigns included. They haven't won an ACC game since 2004, and their losing streak in league play is at 25 games entering 2008.

Such losing becomes so ingrained it's not just the physical but the mental aspects the Blue Devils will be battling.

Cutcliffe and his staff spent most of the spring evaluating their personnel, and the coach came away satisfied with what he saw.

"We have shown, at every position," he said, "enough flashes that if we can make it consistent then we're going to be fine."

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