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Maryland Football: Independent investigation to decide DJ Durkin’s fate

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach D.J. Durkin of the Maryland Terrapins looks on from the sideline while playing the Michigan Wolverines on November 5, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach D.J. Durkin of the Maryland Terrapins looks on from the sideline while playing the Michigan Wolverines on November 5, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The fate of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin will be decided by an independent investigation, ordered by the university’s president and athletic director.

In one of the more well-handled press conferences you’ll see from an athletic department and university president, Maryland accepted responsibility for the death of Jordan McNair following a May 29 after the training staff failed to recognize signs of distress.

President Wallace Loh opened Tuesday’s press conference by admitting the university’s wrongs and stated that he and athletic director Damon Evans visited McNair’s parents and claimed responsibility in person. This is a big step in the university’s goal of moving forward and ensuring nothing like this happens with one of their student athletes again.

Loh was well-spoken and revealed that key members of the training staff and coaching staff, namely DJ Durkin, would be on administrative leave pending an independent investigation.

As to how long the investigation should last, Loh admitted it could go into the middle of September, which would mean the football team would be under the direction of Matt Canada until the findings become public.

Evans, too, handled the press conference well and vaguely answered a question about whether Durkin would be on paid leave 3-4 games into the season and stated that they will take the proper steps as the investigation progresses.

All-in-all, the university made the right move here and openly accepted responsibility, admitting their wrongs in the matter. Head strength and conditioning coach Rick Court was let go from the program following the conclusion of the previous investigation which revealed Maryland was at fault for McNair’s death.

Durkin will have to wait longer to learn his fate, but the university won’t be holding any bias in the matter. Outside investigators will be the ones telling Maryland what to do with Durkin.

Maryland is taking this matter seriously, and that’s all you can ask from a major collegiate program.

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