Former LSU assistant Matt Canada named interim head coach at Maryland
Maryland has placed football coach D.J. Durkin on an official leave of absence Saturday. The man to take the reins of a Terrapin football program in turmoil for the moment coached in Baton Rouge last year.
Former LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been named Maryland’s interim head coach:
Damon Evans has announced Coach DJ Durkin is on leave effective immediately while a thorough examination of our coaching practices is conducted. Matt Canada will serve as interim head coach. We must do better, and we will rebuild a culture of respect in our football program. pic.twitter.com/lQArXIrkeB
— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) August 11, 2018
The death of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair after a workout earlier this summer led to the suspensions of two athletic trainers and the school’s assistant athletics director for sports performance earlier Saturday.
The McNair tragedy and the circumstances around it have been linked in media reports to a wide-ranging list of allegations surrounding Durkin’s program. Verbal and physical abuse as well as other intimidation tactics are among the allegations of a “toxic culture” fostered by Durkin and other staff members in handling their players.
Canada arrived at Maryland this past January after a one-year stint at LSU. The 46-year old has never been a head coach before.
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CCS Staff
