Maryland (finally) Makes The Right Move With DJ Durkin

After one day of reinstatement, former head coach DJ Durkin was terminated from the University of Maryland…

As reports surfaced of Jordan McNair’s death on a June afternoon during a Maryland football practice, what began to unfold shortly afterwards was a dark cloud that hung over the university for some time and will continue to linger into the near future.

The disentanglement was centered around head coach DJ Durkin. At this point, I should say former head coach as the University of Maryland decided to part ways with Durkin on Halloween of all days. This comes after reinstating him for one day following his being placed on administrative leave by the school in August.

Thanks to his contract, the school owes about $5.5 million to Durkin following his firing but that is the least of the story right now.

Currently, the school is in the midst of something very unpleasant. During Durkin’s time at the school (about two seasons), the passing of McNair was the final straw but allegedly, there have been many more tales of heinous character and disrespectful coaching tactics from Durkin and some of his staff.

Reports such as an unnamed player being forced to eat until he vomited due to the staff disapproving his diet, players being verbally abused and made less of themselves during treatment of injuries, players having weights thrown at them by staff members as a way of intimidation, and many more. It became more than just a hard-nosed head coach and his staff trying to instill “toughness” into players.

It created a culture. A toxic culture that current and former players as well as former University of Maryland employees refusing to be tied to the football program. A culture that took away from the most important aspect they all shared and that was their love for football.

I will not compose this column with the notion that I have what it takes to be a college football head coach. Games upon games and years upon years of coaching experience add up for those who take over the reins of a program. Every coach has their particular blueprint to teaching and guiding these players. Every coach has their own particular strategy.

Some are fierce. Some are mild-mannered. Some are in-your-face. Some are not so in-your-face. But for Durkin, to think that his approach would bring the best out of his student-athletes is ludicrous. Unfortunately, Durkin felt that demeaning a player and belittling them will result in 300-yard passing games or four sacks and a forced fumble from a pass rusher.

For the university to reinstate Durkin was a complete slap in the face of those affected. From the players to the parents and family members of these players to the students of the school who had to endure appalling beliefs from the administration. To be quite honest, placing Durkin under paid leave during the investigation was enough to scoff at also.

The current roster of players have a football schedule to complete. Under interim head coach Matt Canada, the Terrapins have gone 5-3 this season which included an emotional season opening win over Texas. In remembrance, the team celebrated afterwards with the waving of a flag that portrayed the jersey number of their fallen teammate Jordan McNair.

The only way these players will completely get over that mental hump of what has transpired is on the football field. Playing together as one.

“It became more than just a hard-nosed head coach and his staff trying to instill “toughness” into players.”

As for Durkin, this will leave a lasting mark on his overall image not only as a coach but as a person for quite some time. Many will view him near and far as an avoidable coach that needs to reevaluate how he treated the same players that he counted on to win.

For the school and the surrounding community in College Park, Maryland, the best resolution has now come to fruition. For a brief 24-hour period, it appeared that what ailed the university suddenly reappeared thanks to the school’s Board of Regents.

It took the public, the students, and the players to make a decision that the ultimate decision makers did not do. A lesson to be learned by all.