Death Of Jordan McNair Leads To UMD Football Coach Shakeup

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The University of Maryland football coach should be fired, according to the attorney representing the family of a Randallstown teen. Jordan McNair, 19, died after falling ill on the practice field.

The offensive lineman, who was a McDonogh graduate, was hospitalized May 29 and died on June 13.

His death stemmed from heat stroke during an off-season workout, according to his family.

Bill Murphy Jr., the attorney representing the McNair family, says that University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin should be "fired immediately," based on his response to McNair, whose temperature went up to 106 degrees at practice, according to the Associated Press.

"This is an obvious heatstroke case," said Murphy, who expects to file a lawsuit against the school once an independent investigation wraps up next month.

Durkin was placed on administrative leave this weekend after ESPN published a report alleging the coach verbally abused and humiliated players during his tenure at the school, which began two years ago.

"Such behaviors contravene the educational mission and core values of our university. They are unacceptable. They will not be tolerated," University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh said in a statement.

Loh said he was "profoundly disturbed" by reported "verbally abusive and intimidating conduct by Maryland football coaches and staff towards our student athletes on the team."

Durkin was placed on leave by Athletic Director Damon Evans, who put other members of the staff on administrative leave to "ensure the safety and success of our student athletes," Loh said. He reported that Matt Canada would serve as the interim head football coach.

The personnel changes were made during an external review of the football program. Walters Inc., which provides consultations in sports medicine, is conducting the review. However, ESPN's expose cast doubt on the veracity of its investigation, given the lapse in time for conducting interviews and the proximity of them to the head coach's office.

"The University of Maryland is committed to a football program that is safe and humane, and where our student-athletes are successful in their academic and athletic endeavors. This commitment will be carried out with accountability, fairness, and transparency," Loh said, noting an additional review would be conducted around the football program at the university.

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," Hogan said in a statement.

"We must have complete confidence that our student athletes are treated with dignity and respect and that they are supervised and coached responsibly," the governor said in the Aug. 11 statement. “If the investigation confirms these reports, then strong and permanent corrective actions should be taken immediately."

The University of Maryland plans to release a follow-up report including an update on the personnel issues and on the death of McNair in September.

• McDonogh Grad Jordan McNair Dies At 19: Report
• Cause Of Death For Jordan McNair Revealed
• Funeral Service For Jordan McNair Planned

— By Patch editors Elizabeth Janney and Dan Taylor

Pictured, 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)