 The Blue Devils compiled a 4–7 record in 1998.On December 1, 1998, Carl Franks, offensive coordinator at Florida under former Blue Devils head coach Steve Spurrier, was hired to replace Fred Goldsmith and tasked with turning around the Duke football program.A Duke alum, Franks had also served as running backs coach at Duke under Spurrier from 1987–1989 and had played running back and tight end for the Blue Devils under Shirley Wilson from 1980–1982.