UMD Coach Should Be Fired, Attorney Says: Report

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Maryland Terrapins' football coach should be fired: that's the position of the attorney for the family of an offensive lineman for the school who died during an offseason workout, according to a report.

Jordan McNair, 19, died after falling ill on the practice field. He was hospitalized May 29 and died on June 13.

The McNair family's attorney, Bill Murphy Jr., says that UMD football coach DJ Durkin should be "fired immediately," according to a WTOP report.

Durkin was placed on administrative leave this weekend after reports surface that he abused and humiliated players during his tenure at the school, which began two years ago. WTOP reports that Murphy said "this is an obvious heatstroke case."

Murphy expects to file a lawsuit against the school, but reportedly said he is waiting for an independent investigation to wrap up next month.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called the reports about Durkin "troubling" in a statement.

"In light of deeply troubling reports about the University of Maryland football program’s training practices and general culture, I support the university’s decision to suspend Coach DJ Durkin, and expect that the investigation into the program will be wide-ranging and thorough," the statement reads. "We must have complete confidence that our student athletes are treated with dignity and respect and that they are supervised and coached responsibly. If the investigation confirms these reports, then strong and permanent corrective actions should be taken immediately.”

Image via University of Maryland