Ex-Virginia coach to join Maryland coaching staff
D.J. Durkin doesn’t have any head coaching experience. But he’s surrounding himself with plenty of guys who do.
After he reportedly roped in recently former Syracuse coach Scott Shafer to take over the defense, Durkin added another recently departed ACC coach to his staff.
Confirmed with a source that Mike London will join Maryland's staff. I was told London came recommended by AD Kevin Anderson
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 9, 2015
Shafer is expected to undertake coordinator duties and London will coach the defensive line.
Following a 4-8 mark in his sixth season at Virginia, London resigned as head coach. He compiled four straight seasons of sub-500 records, but he did lead Richmond to an FCS title back in 2008.
With the exception of one year he spent coaching the Houston Texans defensive line, the 55-year-old London has been recruiting on the East Coast since 1989. The additions of London and Shafer will be a major help to Durkin in recruiting the region.
The former ACC coaches will inherit a defense that will lose its two best players in Yannick Ngakoue and Sean Davis. The Terps finished 89th in total defense and 104th against the run in 2015.
Durkin, a defensive mind himself, will likely keep former interim coach Mike Locksley on staff, as well.
There will likely be hires announced on the offensive side of the ball in the coming days.