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D.J. Durkin fired: 5 candidates to be the next Maryland coach

By Brad Berreman

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 28: Head Coach DJ Durkin of the Maryland Terrapins watches the game against the Indiana Hoosiers on October 28, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 28: Head Coach DJ Durkin of the Maryland Terrapins watches the game against the Indiana Hoosiers on October 28, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine/Getty Images /

2. Lance Leipold, Buffalo head coach

After winning six Division III national titles and five undefeated campaigns over eight seasons at Wisconsin-Whitewater, Leipold is in his fourth season as head coach at Buffalo. He has built things up quickly, from 5-7 and 2-10 in his first two seasons to 6-6 last year and now to 8-1 with a 5-0 mark in the MAC so far this season. After earning bowl eligibility but not being selected for a postseason game last year, there will be no such nail-biting this year. With Kent State (2-7) and Bowling Green (1-8) on the slate for two of their final three games, a 10-win season looks a virtual certainty for Buffalo.

The Bulls have two legit NFL prospects in quarterback Tyree Jackson and wide receiver Anthony Johnson, and a potential third pro prospect (linebacker Khalil Hodge) on the defensive side of the ball. Leipold gets some credit for that, as his own recruits (like Jackson) have filled the roster.

Leipold could start to gain traction as a coach ready to make a jump to a Power 5 school this month, as Buffalo gets some attention via weekday #MACtion on ESPN’s networks. But Maryland should already have him on their list of potential replacements for Durkin.

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