INTERVIEW – ROMAN STUBBS – Washington Post sports reporter @romanstubbs
TOPIC: MD football scandal
> Maryland places DJ Durkin on administrative leave amid reports of football program’s toxic culture. (Washington Post) — Just three weeks before its season opener, the University of Maryland placed its football coach, DJ Durkin, on administrative leave Saturday in the wake of news reports that Terps players faced abuse and disparagement from staff members in the school’s athletics department.
Athletic Director Damon Evans sent a letter to university staff, boosters and supporters Saturday saying he’s “concerned by the allegations of unacceptable behaviors by members of our football staff detailed in recent media reports.”
“At this time, the best decision for our football program is to place Maryland Head Football Coach DJ Durkin on leave so we can properly review the culture of the program,” Evans wrote.
Evans said the move was effective immediately, and he appointed offensive coordinator Matt Canada to serve as interim head coach. The decision followed 24 hours of deliberation from school administrators and athletic department officials, who were rocked by news reports Friday evening that painted the picture of a program besieged with rampant bullying and verbal abuse, a toxic culture that may have contributed to the death of football player Jordan McNair in June.
