The University of Maryland has handled the aftermath of the unfortunate June 13th death of football player Jordan McNair like a complete dumpster fire. They just continue to trip over their shoes and fall out into the middle of the street into oncoming traffic. It’s ridiculous that the leadership on that campus can’t seem to make good decisions to move forward towards giving his family and university closure. On Tuesday several people made the bone headed decision that it made sense to reinstate DJ Durkin as the head coach after he’s been on administrative leave or suspension since the incident.
Then, not 24 hours later, he was fired because folks weren’t having that foolishness on their campus.
In a statement, president Wallace D. Loh said, “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.”
Then he says, “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.”
He goes on to say, “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.”
Okay playas, let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! Why did it take four months and folks being fighting mad and protesting on campus for Maryland to figure out that it makes absolutely no sense to bring Durkin back? So you mean to tell me that you couldn’t feel the pulse on your own campus? That’s crazy to me!!! You shouldn’t have to meet with anybody to make that decision. A real leader would have walked in in June after getting all of the facts and listening to all of the investigators and said, “Hey dawg, we’ve got to move forward on a head coach. There’s way too much wrong around here and now a player has lost his life. That’s it. Do what you have to do to replace him next year. We’ll play with an interim head coach this year but we’re moving on.” That’s a real leader would have handled this situation. The president saw the writing on the wall too that’s why he’s announcing his retirement in June.
It’s just that simple, especially once the university took complete blame for the unfortunate situation. There was no bringing Durkin back. What’s wrong with these people? Stop me when I start lyin’!