Despite being reinstated to return to coach the Maryland Terrapins, there was a lot of pressure, and DJ Durkin has been fired. There will likely be an opening in College Park, Maryland at the end of the 2018 season, and one former SEC head coach is reportedly interested in the expected vacancy.
According to Terrapin Sports Report publisher Scott Greene, former Tennessee head coach and current Alabama Crimson Tide offensive analyst Butch Jones does have interest in the Maryland job. Matt Canada is currently serving as the interim coach for the Terrapins.
It certainly didn't take long for a big name, or, at the very least, a notable one, to be rumored to fill the head coach position. Actually, it look less time for the rumor to start than it did for Durkin to keep his post after Tuesday's press conference with University System of Maryland board of trustees chair James T. Brady and university president Wallace D. Loh, who announced his retirement for June.
Durkin was fired following an external investigation into the Maryland program's culture following the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, a 19-year-old who passed away two weeks after being hospitalized following a May 29 offseason workout.
The investigation concluded Maryland did not have a "toxic culture" and both Durkin, who had been on paid administrative leave since August 11, and athletic director Damon Evans were recommended to return to work.
Less than 24 hours later, Durkin is without a job. Less than a day after that, Jones has been rumored to have interest.
Jones was fired last November during his fifth season coaching the Tennessee Volunteers, positing a 34-27 record while at the helm in Knoxville.
Outside of the financial benefit for the Vols — Jones was owed over $8 million after he was fired and a new job would help mitigate the buyout — this has potential to be a nice fit.
There really is no telling what will happen in the coming months, but the first name for the Maryland job is out, and plenty more will surface until a new hire is made.
