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Football Coach's Return Fires Up Students, Players and Even Politicians

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The reinstatement of D.J. Durkin as Maryland’s football coach has drawn the ire of players, students and politicians.

Instead of resolving the issues facing the flawed program, the decision by the University System of Maryland board of regents on Tuesday to retain Durkin, athletic director Damon Evans and President Wallace Loh created a different set of problems.

Some state officials say Durkin should have been fired, and one called the decision an “embarrassment.”

Outraged students planned a rally Thursday.

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Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said the group will have a hearing on Nov. 15 in Annapolis to “shine more light” on the decision-making process that led to the retirement of Loh, while the coach and other athletic staff remained.

“Obviously the regents had their press conference, and it actually has raised a lot more questions and is getting quite a strong reaction from policymakers, legislators and frankly, even the public,” she said. “I’ve heard words like ‘perplexing,’ ‘shocking,’ and so I do think we need to bring kind of the decision-making process, shine more light on it, and see what happens.”

Durkin and Evans were on the job when offensive lineman Jordan McNair collapsed on the practice field May 29 and died of heatstroke June 13. The attorney for the family has said Durkin should have been fired and is reviewing legal options.

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Maryland Rep. Anthony G. Brown was furious over the board’s decision.

“Coach Durkin should be fired. Director Evans should be fired,” the Democrat said in a statement. “The University of Maryland athletic staff failed Jordan McNair, and on Tuesday the USM Board of Regents failed him again.”

Durkin was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 11, and now he’s poised to be on the sideline Saturday for a Big Ten home game against Michigan State after the board ruled the coach had been “unfairly blamed for the dysfunction in the athletic department.”

His return comes after an external review of the football program, which followed an independent investigation into McNair’s death. The decision by the board of regents means Durkin will resume the third season of a five-year, $12.5 million contract he signed in December 2015.

“University leadership still faces the considerable challenge of restoring the trust of students, families, and faculty, and proving that there is and will be accountability for any actions that adversely impact student welfare and the standing of our flagship university,” Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said. “The addition of an oversight board seems to be a positive step, but many will understandably question whether enough has been done to address the serious concerns that exist among many in the College Park community — I am one of them.”

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Hogan’s opponent in the November election, Democrat Ben Jealous, wrote in a statement, “The University of Maryland has become a national embarrassment for putting the agenda of a few wealthy football boosters ahead of the health and safety of its student athletes.”

Maryland’s football players drew together under interim coach Matt Canada to compile a 5-3 record, but it’s hard to envision how the team will react to Durkin’s return in a season dedicated to McNair. Several media outlets reported that at least three players walked out of a team meeting with Durkin on Tuesday, and offensive lineman Ellis McKennie blasted the board of regents’ decision on Twitter.

Another item of interest in Tuesday’s news conference was Loh announcing his retirement in June 2019. Loh’s leadership was addressed in both investigations, and he did not emerge unscathed.

“He should stay and I’m urging him to do so,” said state Sen. Jim Rosapepe, a Democrat who represents College Park. “Academics need to come first. His decision can and should be reversed.”

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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