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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: Rob Carr/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images /

1. Ken Niumatalolo, Navy head coach

Navy has lost five in a row and they’re just 2-6 this season, with a 4-12 record since a 5-0 start last season. But Niumatalolo’s track record (86-54 in his 11th full season) makes him a consistent candidate to move to another job. He was practically set to take over at Arizona after last season before quarterback Khalil Tate tweeted about now wanting to play in a triple-option offense and Kevin Sumlin wound up with the job.

That run-first, run-last and run in-between offense is doing what it’s meant to do again this season, as the Midshipmen are third in the country in rushing offense (307.9 yards per game). But with how college offenses have evolved Niumatalolo may only need to not be at a service academy, where option offenses are the norm, to change course and open things up offensively.

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Niumatalolo is surely well-known and regarded in the local area around College Park, and a tenth bowl berth (and winning season) in his 11 full seasons in Annapolis is still within reach this year. He should get some consideration from elsewhere again in this year’s coaching carousel, and Maryland should be one of the schools to provide Niumatalolo a seat for an interview.

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