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Report: Culture of Maryland football not considered toxic, D.J. Durkin’s job still in jeopardy
Published:
On Friday, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents received a 200-page report on the findings of the investigation into the allegations of a “toxic” culture within the football program. According to a report, the investigation found that the accusations of an abusive environment have been “overblown.”
This is the first report to claim there was not a toxic environment involving Maryland’s football program.
The report, which comes from WTOP radio in Washington D.C. comes a few days after the board of regents met in a closed session to discuss the findings from the investigation.
From WTOP:
A majority of the board was in favor of seeing the school move on from both football coach DJ Durkin and athletic director Damon Evans.
It also still appears that University of Maryland President Wallace Loh will eventually be departing as well. However, at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting his exit from the school wasn’t expected to be imminent. A source says a plan could be worked out that would see Loh step down in the spring of 2019.
The regents do not have power to fire Durkin or Evans, which would be the responsibility of the university. Despite the findings, it appears that’s the solution the board is making.
The investigation started following the death of Jordan McNair, who suffered from heatstroke during an organized team workout in the summer. Durkin has been placed on administrative leave since the investigation and has not coached in a game this season.
A public release of the finding is expected to come sometime next week.
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