Setota Hailemariam
WMAL.com
DJ Durkin, head football coach at the University of Maryland, was fired Wednesday after public backlash to his reinstatement to the position Tuesday. The coach was placed on administrative leave in August as the university investigated the circumstances surrounding player Jordan McNair’s death from heatstroke in the weeks following a May outdoor team workout, and the overall culture of the school’s football program.
President of the university, Wallace Loh, sent a letter to students and faculty on Wednesday confirming Durkin’s termination and detailing his own departure from the school, with his retirement in June 2019.
The letter read as follows:
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| October 31, 2018 |
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| Dear University of Maryland community, |
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| I am writing to inform you of actions I am taking that are in the best interest of the University of Maryland. |
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| Yesterday, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents announced numerous recommendations, including employment decisions about specific personnel on our campus. I accepted the Board’s recommendations. At the same time, I announced my retirement as president in June 2019. |
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| Since returning to campus after yesterday’s press conference, I have met with the leadership of the Student Government Association speaking on behalf of numerous student organizations; the Senate Executive Committee; Deans; department chairs; and campus leadership. The overwhelming majority of stakeholders expressed serious concerns about Coach DJ Durkin returning to the campus. |
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| The chair of the Board of Regents has publicly acknowledged that I had previously raised serious concerns about Coach Durkin’s return. This is not at all a reflection of my opinion of Coach Durkin as a person. However, a departure is in the best interest of the University, and this afternoon Coach Durkin was informed that the University will part ways. |
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| This is a difficult decision, but it is the right one for our entire University. I will devote the remaining months of my presidency to advancing the needed reforms in our Athletic Department that prioritize the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. |
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| Sincerely, |
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Wallace D. Loh
President, University of Maryland |
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