Governor Hogan visits University of Maryland Football Team by Tom Nappi at College Park, Maryland Date 29 August 2017 (Wikipedia Commons. Author: Maryland GovPics)
On Tuesday, the University System of Maryland board of regents announced that DJ Durkin has been reinstated as head coach of Maryland’s football program and will return for Saturday’s game against Michigan State.
Durkin was placed on paid administrative leave in August following the June 13 death of 19-year-old offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died from a heatstroke he suffered at a May 29 conditioning workout.
Coach Matt Canada served as interim head coach during Durkin’s absence and will return all head-coaching responsibilities back to Durkin.
“I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach, and somebody spit in my face,” said Marty McNair, Jordan’s father, who thought the USM board would “do the right thing.”
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“The university has an obligation to protect, to educate and to nurture every one of its students,” said Hassan Murphy, an attorney representing McNair’s family. “… Yet today, the board ratified and validated the heartbreaking actions by Coach Durkin and his staff toward Jordan in May by continuing the employment of the man who failed in his primary responsibility to Jordan. That is callous and it is indefensible.”
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Maryland president Wallace Loh made it clear that he didn’t want Durkin to return as coach but felt pressured by the board of regents.
“Many will understandably question whether enough has been done to address the serious concerns that exist among many in the College Park community,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wrote in a statement. “I am one of them.”
On Tuesday night, Terrapin offensive lineman Ellis McKennie took to Twitter to express his displeasure with Durkin’s reinstatement.
“Our thoughts have and will continue to be with Jordan’s family. I am proud that the team has remained united and represented themselves and the University well during this difficult time,” Durkin said. “As we move forward, I am confident that our team will successfully represent the entire University in a positive way both on and off the field.
Maryland (5-3) will look to clinch bowl eligibility with a win over the Spartans (5-3) on the road. The game airs Saturday at 12:00 p.m. EST on ESP2.
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