Maryland finally fires D.J. Durkin amid backlash, but damage already done

A day after a controversial decision by the school’s board of regents, Maryland’s president reversals field and fires coach D.J. Durkin.

Just because the right thing was done (eventually) doesn’t mean that everything’s alright at Maryland.

On Tuesday, Maryland’s board of regents shocked the college sports world by reinstating suspended football coach D.J. Durkin. What was a dumpster fire turned into a firestorm as media reports overwhelmingly panned the decision.

As the avalanche of negative stories increased, Maryland’s governor urged the regents to reconsider and a Congressman from the state recommended Durkin be fired. Maryland president Wallace Loh, who at Tuesday’s news conference announced he would step down after this school year, announced late Wednesday afternoon that he had dismissed Durkin. There were reports that was what Loh wanted to do all along, but the regents disagreed.

Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair collapsed and suffered heat stroke on May 29 and remained in a coma until dying on June 13. Two reports investigating McNair’s death were commissioned by the school, followed by a story on ESPN’s Outside the Lines on a “toxic” culture in the football program that revealed an atmosphere of fear with players being physically and mentally abused.

Over recent weeks, the regents held five meetings to eventually decide Durkin deserved another chance. It took just 24 hours for that decision to be overturned.

Maryland is 5-3 under interim coach Matt Canada and has a home game with Michigan State Saturday. A few players walked out when Durkin met with the team Tuesday, and there were reports that a few others missed Wednesday’s practice. Athletic director Damon Evans met with the team to inform them of Durkin’s dismissal.

That’s what is happening on the ground in College Park. The view from 30,000 feet brings forth several lingering issues.

Maryland will start a coaching search plus will be in the market for a new president. Evans was fired as Georgia’s athletic director for getting caught in a DUI arrest with a 28-year-old mistress. He was taken to task in the reports about McNair’s death. Evans will be tasked with not only hiring a new coach but also reshaping the flow chart of how his department functions.

Canada has done a good job in a difficult situation and appears to be popular with the players. For stability’s sake, he might be a candidate that creates the least angst.

Hiring an outsider could be a challenge. Opposing coaches have plenty of ammunition to negatively recruit. Firing Durkin doesn’t completely correct the dysfunction at Maryland, which appears top down starting with the regents.

Maryland was carrying a $21 million athletics deficit when it joined the Big Ten in 2014. In its last four seasons in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Terps were 22-28. They’re 25-33 as a Big Ten school. Maryland’s rallying cry could be “at least we’re not Rutgers.” The Scarlet Knights came into the Big Ten with Maryland and are 17-38.

Maryland competes in the Big Ten’s East Division which includes Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State. Realistically, each season the Terps can hope to finish fifth and earn a bowl trip. Other than the athletic department cashing what will soon be an annual $50 million revenue check from the conference office, there’s not much upside for the football program.

Durkin went 10-15 in his two seasons as coach of the Terrapins. He was on paid administrative leave since Aug. 11 as the school investigated McNair’s death. Durkin will be owed approximately $5.6 million dollars.

On Tuesday, McNair’s father Martin told reporters, “I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach and someone spit in my face.” Loh’s defiance of his board of regents changed the narrative in one day.

“We feel gratified that some justice has been done, that Dr. Loh took it upon himself to do the right thing,” McNair told ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday night.