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Matt Canada sends letter to families of Maryland players

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

The past 72 hours have been hectic and challenging for the Maryland football program. The players, coaches and everyone else associated has experienced a tumultuous week because of the news involving former head coach DJ Durkin.

Interim head coach Matt Canada wanted to assure the families of the players that the team is sticking together and will continue to fight over the next few weeks. The letter Canada penned was obtained by Big Ten Network.

From Canada:

The last three days, much like the past several months, have been challenging for everyone involved. There has been a lot written and said about our program. Our young men have been forced to deal with intense distractions and speculation, none of which they asked for. We can’t change that and we don’t control it — what’s being said, how it’s being written, any of it.

The coaching staff and I met with the team this morning. Our pledge to them, and to you, is to continue to do exactly what we have been doing these twelve weeks. We will stick together. We will lean on each other. We will continue to honor Jordan. We will play hard and as a team. We will make you proud.

Canada has been leading the Terrapins since Durkin was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 11. He’s been the interim head coach through the first eight games of the season, leading Maryland to a 5-3 record.

Durkin was reinstated on Tuesday but was terminated from his post on Wednesday, a decision made by University of Maryland President Wallace Loh.

In the aftermath of the decision to fire Durkin, it was reported that there was an altercation involving players after practice. The incident occurred between a pro-Durkin player and one who opposed the head coach’s return.

Keeping the team together in the final month of the season is going to be a difficult task for Canada.

Dustin Schutte

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