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Finebaum blasts Maryland for retaining DJ Durkin
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The decision the University of Maryland Board of Regents made to recommend the reinstatement of head football coach DJ Durkin has been met with intense scrutiny. Media, current and former players and everyone in between believes the choice was the wrong one to make.
College football analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in on the matter during Wednesday morning’s edition of ESPN’s Get Up! and he didn’t hold any punches.
“(This is a) slap in the face to everything that’s right,” Finebaum said. “It shows to me that this university doesn’t have a soul to do what the parents of Jordan McNair said. They spit in their face. It leaves you wondering even more about the integrity of big-time college athletics. I’m already very suspicious. It’s a very sad and disheartening story.”
Durkin had been placed on administrative leave for over two months as an independent committee investigated the culture surrounding Maryland’s football program. The investigation was conducted following the death of student-athlete Jordan McNair, who died following an organized team workout.
“I think there’s going to be more problems,” Finebaum said. “How does this coaching staff and this university move on in relation to getting players? There are families watching across that state and across that region trying to decide whether if their child should play for this man or that university and I’m sure many will come to the conclusion that I’m not letting my son play for that university.”
To Finebaum’s point, it was reported by ESPN that multiple players walked out of a team meeting with Durkin on Tuesday.
The board of regents announced their decision during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. It was reported that President Wallace Loh did not want to retain Durkin, but was told if he did not reinstate the head coach he would be fired.
Loh plans to resign as president following the 2018-19 academic year.
Maryland has been led by offensive coordinator Matt Canada during Durkin’s absence. The interim head coach has the Terrapins at 5-3 on the season.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB