Just as critical for the program were additional allegations regarding the culture at Maryland that have been established the past few years under Durkin and his top lieutenant in the strength and conditioning program in Court….
-There is a coaching environment based on fear and intimidation. In one example, a player holding a meal while in a meeting had the meal slapped out of his hands in front of the team. At other times, small weights and other objects were thrown in the direction of players when Court was angry.
-The belittling, humiliation and embarrassment of players is common. In one example, a player whom coaches wanted to lose weight was forced to eat candy bars as he was made to watch teammates working out.
-Extreme verbal abuse of players occurs often. Players are routinely the targets of obscenity-laced epithets meant to mock their masculinity when they are unable to complete a workout or weight lift, for example. One player was belittled verbally after passing out during a drill.
-Coaches have endorsed unhealthy eating habits and used food punitively; for example, a player said he was forced to overeat or eat to the point of vomiting.
I love college football, but the culture that surrounds it is very dumb sometimes. Belittling somebody for passing out during a drill is gross. The slippery slope can be catastrophic as we see here. Players won’t want to be the one called out or, in this case, forced to “eat candy bars as he was made to watch teammates working out.”
Perhaps the most damning statement that the report included was this quote from a former Terps staff member: “I would never, ever, ever allow my child to be coached there.” There were also several current or former players who spoke about the conditions under Durkin in the report as well and none paint a flattering picture.
This is a tough loss for Maryland, who is looking to have a rebound year after a disappointing 4-8 2017 season. Hopes were high considering their top two QBs (Maryland’s QB position is cursed) and best defensive player from 2017 return from injury. We all remember how good Maryland looked against Texas, when their team was healthy. Plus, Maryland has recruited back-to-back top 30 recruiting classes. Being in the Big Ten East is always tough for teams like Maryland, Rutgers, and Indiana. If they want to find themselves in postseason play, the little things matter. Losing your coach just a few weeks before their opener can derail their season.
Matt Canada (Ed Orgeron’s ex) will serve as interim coach until the investigation is complete. We’ll keep you updated on this story.
8:50 PM: A group of parents of current Maryland football player’s are coming together to support Durkin:
SOURCE-Keisha Staples, the mother of Maryland defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr., told the AP she is close with a group of about eight players’ parents who would like to meet with athletic director Damon Evans and school officials to voice their ”full support” for coach DJ Durkin.
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”I don’t want the stigma to be at Maryland this is a toxic culture,” Staples said. ”This is a football culture.”
She added: ”They’re already dealing with the death of their teammate. Now they have to deal with the loss of their coach.”