Ole Miss Hires Former Maryland Coach D.J. Durkin As Assistant
OXFORD, MS. (AP) -- Former Maryland coach D.J. Durkin, who was fired during the 2018 season following the death of a player who had collapsed during offseason conditioning drills, was hired Thursday as an assistant by Mississippi.
Durkin, who spent last season as a consultant with the Atlanta Falcons, will join new Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's defensive staff.
Durkin did stints as defensive coordinator at Michigan and Florida, building up a reputation as a top recruiter, before being hired as Maryland head coach at age 37. He went 10-15 in two seasons at Maryland, but his tenure ended abruptly amid scandal.
On May 29, 2018, offensive lineman Jordan McNair collapsed during conditioning drills because of heat-related illness. McNair died on June 13.
An independent investigation determined that athletic trainers on the scene did not follow proper procedures. Durkin was not found responsible for McNair's death, but he was fired in October after having been placed on administrative leave to start the season.
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