CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Hawkinole on August 10, 2018, 09:21:54 PM
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If you haven't seen this article it is worthwhile reading, but it will take time. It is not complimentary. http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24342005/maryland-terrapins-football-culture-toxic-coach-dj-durkin
Members of the staff are placed on administrative leave while the school conducts an investigation. Doesn't state who, but it might be Head Coach DJ Durkin, and strength and conditioning coach Rick Court, or maybe not. But those are the two most prominently featured in the article.
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Big Ten good PR train keeps rolling along. It's all on you Wisconsin!
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Sure doesn't look good, but the B1G Network was there today and interviewed DJ, OC, and DC.
Could happen anywhere, but it happened at Maryland, so we're doomed.
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Which fan base is going g to emerge from the woodwork for this one?
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Big Ten good PR train keeps rolling along. It's all on you Wisconsin!
Baton is passed to Northwestern.
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Most universities try to do in house investigations.
We hired an outside investigation when it happened.
Heather Dinich has a bad history with Maryland dating back to Ralph's days.
If it was so toxic, why the transfers in? Why would Prince and Derwin come back for their senior years, when they are considered draft picks? Jermaine Carter?
Doesn't add up. They're is cursing, emotion, motivation, and pushing you past your limits. I joined the military and played in HS. It happens in both places. Kids get yelled at and pushed.
Now, there is a medical staff in hand at every university People seem to forget that. He didn't show signs like throwing up, or dehydration.
He looked worn out, like anyone running 100 yard dashes. They did what they could, I'm sure, and maybe he was trying to be a "man" about it, but ultimately, they called 911.
I'm sure blame has to be put on someone, so it's not going to be pretty.
The strength and conditioning staff is on suspension.
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Sounds like Durkin on leave
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Matt Canada moving on up
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Doesn't add up. They're is cursing, emotion, motivation, and pushing you past your limits. I joined the military and played in HS. It happens in both places. Kids get yelled at and pushed.
I'm sure blame has to be put on someone, so it's not going to be pretty.
The strength and conditioning staff is on suspension.
The S & C coaches are where the blame will go and they will lose their jobs. When someone dies during workouts accountability starts with firing the Strength coach. It’s like in the Navy when a ship crashes the commanding officer is fired. Speaking of the military, all of the same coaching behavior happened to me, even the forced vomiting, when I did basic training 15 yrs ago. I could see tactics like that getting old after 4 years of football practice, but in basic training it’s treated as something you just move on and forget.
It’d be a dissapointment if Durkin takes much fall for this; I love the foundation he’s building. This is more of ESPN putting out the hit pieces like they did on Fantonio and Izzy to fit it in the more heated context of the Nasser fallout.
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Is what it is. I think Loh needs to go myself, but if he falls, so will everyone else.
Muschamp spoke about cowards and anonymous sources while defending Durkin and his integrity.
That said, if firing Durkin is the right thing to do, then I'm on board. I just don't think it should be on him.
The head trainer, definitely yes.
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Malik Jones may have been one of the sources.
He had an altercation with DJ because he was in a team meeting on his iPad and laughing.
Durkin apparently told him he disrespected the team and asked him to leave.
TE coach Tyler Bowen didn't stay long. He left after a very short stint and went to, wouldn't you know it, PSU.
This "toxic" crap looks like it's coming from disgruntled people. And Heather just loves sticking it to Maryland.
The trainer needs to go. He's the one responsible for the "drag him off the field" comment.
He's been there since Ralph's days though, I believe.
He came from Purdue and has been on the staff a very long time.
I'm sure there is truth to the S&C coach, but I doubt he threw weights AT players.
Also, this could also be the work of the lawyer working on behalf of McNair's family. He was on the Freddy Grey case I believe (what I've heard, not sure).
The idea is to reduce public opinion, and then win in court.
Not sure to that speculation though.
Sad for everyone involved.
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Having Canada on hand I’m guessing they fire Durkin. His program, he should have dealt with it.
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Having Canada on hand I’m guessing they fire Durkin. His program, he should have dealt with it.
I'm all in on Canada as an OC. I think that was a home run hire. But I don't think he's a sure thing as an HC enough that you run Durkin out the door just to not have to deal with it.
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Looks to me like a coaching staff that has high expectations (perhaps too high, no offense) and doesn't know any other way to get to where they want to be than to ratchet up the intensity. They probably lack a tool kit of diverse motivational methods and have/will just tighten things up until it bursts, either good or bad. Maybe it already burst badly with the player dying.
Honestly, when it comes to that, I'm surprised it doesn't happen much more often. I played from 5th grade up through HS and dealt with heat exhaustion once. There's a fine line because yes, your body can go further than your mind wants to allow it to, but only so much. You have players who are going balls-to-the-wall for 1-normal, wanting to play reasons, but then 2-want to avoid being embarrassed by the one-trick-pony coaching staff on top of that...and you get kids going genuinely too hard.
If Durkin had more motivational tools he could utilize, he wouldn't be in this predicament.
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It was an 80 degree day in May.
Not really the type of conditions you'd expect these symptoms.
He was worn out, as anyone would be.
The training staff should be on the chopping block, not the HC, but I feel public opinion from people who know nothing will win the day.
Many players, current and past, are defending Durkin and the program citing not to believe what you read.
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This has also been a great distraction for other things going on around the CFB landscape.
First, Heather brings up months old information about how Jordan died, and then comes out with an article using "toxic" as an attention grabber, using a player who was kicked off the team, and a coach who goes to PSU as "anonymous sources".
ESPN hit job.
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ESPN certainly has had it's eye on the BIG lately... Perhaps the BIG has done poorly with policing itself. Or, perhaps the BIG has improved too much in football....
yes, I'm a Gen-Xer. =)
But what little ESPN I watch seems focused on that which challenges their investment. It's not that OSU, MSU, Maryland, FSU (2 yrs ago) are not news. It's the fact that other news doesn't share the coverage volume. The highlight the bad of certain programs/conferences more than others.
it's not fake news, but it certainly is influencing... just like they do with the polls. But they are part of the US media machine where directing the conclusions is the norm.
Now, I'm going to put back on my tin foil hat. thank you.
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If a kid dies in football related drills for a Power 5 program, it is going to be a big story at some point. This finally got traction, maybe because the news cycle is slow, maybe because some like Dinich finally found 1-2 people willing to talk. Who knows.
And if a kid dies in football related drills for a Power 5 program, a number of people are going to go down with the ship, including some who had little to nothing to do with the episode. It's a pretty serious deal. Knowledge and resources around this stuff have advanced tremendously since Korey Stringer. It seems to be a bad set of circumstances, but it really shouldn't happen.
There is no direct comparable I can think of. But there are some corollaries to a story like this. For the workout itself the Iowa rhabdo issues from a few years ago comes to mind. For the death, the Notre Dame student helper getting blown off the scissor lift on a windy day comes to mind. And the cultural issues make me think back to Leach and Kevin Wilson.
The Iowa and Notre Dame staff's came out largely unscathed. Wilson and Leach obviously didn't. It seems counter-intuitive, but in the cases where there were serious health issues or death, the coaches survived. But in the cases of culture, bullying, etc., the coaches went down.
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The Iowa and Notre Dame staff's came out largely unscathed. Wilson and Leach obviously didn't. It seems counter-intuitive, but in the cases where there were serious health issues or death, the coaches survived. But in the cases of culture, bullying, etc., the coaches went down.
I still don't know how Kelly tefloned that one
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I still think that was a Craig James hatchet job on Leach.
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I still think that was a Craig James hatchet job on Leach.
Still one of my all-time favorites from Ramzy at Ohio State blog 11Warriors: :)
https://deadspin.com/5873669/campaign-donation-to-craig-james-contains-hidden-message-about-dead-hookers
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This "toxic" crap looks like it's coming from disgruntled people. And Heather just loves sticking it to Maryland.
So what’s the bad blood between Dinich and Maryland?
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So what’s the bad blood between Dinich and Maryland?
It dates back to when she was an ACC reporter and Ralph.
She over sensationalized and fabricated and expanded on things that weren't real.
Mostly speculation on her part and made it out to be bigger than what it really was. From QB's to suspensions or whatever you have.
Ralph like to keep things close to the vest anyway and she kept crying and crying until he finally called her out on it in front of her colleagues.
Sounds like there may be more to come in this situation as well.
There may not be a Maryland football program after this is said and done.
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I'm gonna' go ahead and say that the medical/training staff goofed up here, with tragic results. I can't see any other way to look at it. If that's the case, the program must face up to it. And I think they will -- hiring an external investigator showed good faith, in my opinion.
I think the "toxic culture" is a stretch at best, and McwTerps has already talked about that. Funny how during her stay on campus she happened not to run into the dozens of players who are all in for the current coach and his ways, and have said so (not anonymously) in the past few days. Oh, what some will do for a sexy headline...
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I'm not the guy who's going to come here with extra info or even a strong opinion and say it's a toxic environment, but the fact that dozens of players are willing to say they're all-in for their coach in no way rules out that the culture is also toxic. That's still a question worth fleshing out. And polling the players on whether Durkin is a super guy who's maximizing their potential fleshes nothing.
Hopefully my qualifier is believed. I'm definitely not ragging on UMd. Just saying that player support means almost nothing here.
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I'm not the guy who's going to come here with extra info or even a strong opinion and say it's a toxic environment, but the fact that dozens of players are willing to say they're all-in for their coach in no way rules out that the culture is also toxic. That's still a question worth fleshing out. And polling the players on whether Durkin is a super guy who's maximizing their potential fleshes nothing.
Hopefully my qualifier is believed. I'm definitely not ragging on UMd. Just saying that player support means almost nothing here.
Of course not. But nor are they outweighed by the cherry-picked/anonymous interviews presented in the article, which has made an indelible impression on so many people.
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That's fair, but except insofar as the building narrative might influence future recruits even if Durkin deserves to be cleared and ultimately is ... that indelible impression on others is just par for the course and of minimal significance
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You think he came back for his 5th year, and Prince for his 4th, if it was "toxic"?
https://twitter.com/Teamgrayy/status/950436970374795264?s=19
This is a hit job, and Heather bringing up old information about Jordan's death, BEFORE that article came out, screams hit job.
She's doing the lawyers work for him. He probably contacted her. Talked to disgruntled players like Malik Jones, and staff like Tyler Bowen at PSU, and continued without any integrity.
Again, 80° day in May, and your first thought should be heat stroke? These kids drink Gatorade, energy drinks, supplements, and whatever else that raise heart rate and temperature.
These things can also cause seizures.
The Freddy Gray lawyer is the lawyer here, and Heather is helping sway opinion. Period.
The players are talking about boycotting the season if Durkin doesn't come back.
Toxic? I don't think so.
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This is why at some point people are put under oath. A lot easier to say x, y z to a reporter quite another thing when you are forced to face the accused. This is serious stuff, one way or another we need to learn more about these allegations.
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I'm growing tired of hearing about Big Ten schools in the news for bad shit.
Since 2011...
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/eight-years-of-big-ten-scandals-paint-unflattering-picture-but-connecting-dots-may-be-unfair/
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2014 Ohio State One track & field member hospitalized (rhabdo)
well, if you're stretching to put together a list
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Recruiting will suffer. With allegations hanging over this school like these parents will be reluctant to encourage their kids to play here.
The program could lose what little swagger it was developing very quickly.
DJ Durkin is not the only possibility as a head coach for Maryland and probably not even the best at this point. If the school tries defending him it will be seen by some as a gambit for defending the wrongful death lawsuit that follows. I suspect that the sooner he is dispatched the sooner a replacement is hired, the sooner that replacement starts recruiting his athletes, the better for the Maryland football program. The allegations are deep troubling. This is beyond the Adam James/Craig James/Mike Leach issues, which in my view the allegations there were nothing approaching those here.
We will see what the independent reviewer's report says. I suspect Maryland will await that report and then fire DJ Durkin for cause based on violation of the morality clause these contracts usually contain so Maryland has grounds to fire for those reasons, and not pay any part of the remainder of the contract. If the independent review goes the other way, i.e. finds no fault with the coaching staff they keep him this year and use that independent review defensively for their lawsuit, and then terminate him because he has a bad season.
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ESPN certainly has had it's eye on the BIG lately... Perhaps the BIG has done poorly with policing itself. Or, perhaps the BIG has improved too much in football....
yes, I'm a Gen-Xer. =)
But what little ESPN I watch seems focused on that which challenges their investment. It's not that OSU, MSU, Maryland, FSU (2 yrs ago) are not news. It's the fact that other news doesn't share the coverage volume. The highlight the bad of certain programs/conferences more than others.
it's not fake news, but it certainly is influencing... just like they do with the polls. But they are part of the US media machine where directing the conclusions is the norm.
Now, I'm going to put back on my tin foil hat. thank you.
I wonder how much of this is "coverage" and how we perceive coverage.
It always strikes me the bad/upsetting looms larger in our minds. There's something in our wiring that wants to perceive that someone is trying to get us.
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I don't know, but if you cover and own the SEC NETWORK, and your greatest competition is the B1G, what better way to improve ratings than to attack your competition.
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^^^ there is that. Delany and Disney are not on the best of terms.
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2014 Ohio State One track & field member hospitalized (rhabdo)
well, if you're stretching to put together a list
Well, the producer of that piece was CBSec. :67:
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2014 Ohio State One track & field member hospitalized (rhabdo)
well, if you're stretching to put together a list
I thought the same thing. They reached in a number of those
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I doubt anybody here really cares what I think, but since I have opined, I want to make myself clear.
If that article correctly depicts the culture in Maryland football (I don't think it does), I want the entire staff gone. If negligence (or whatever we want to call it) led to McNair's death, the program should do whatever is needed to address that, including dismissal of whoever is responsible. This might include the captain of the ship.
My comments have been more about the shabby, headline-seeking coverage by ESPN than about the situation itself...
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Thanks for clarifying that part. I tend to agree with you, if true.
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I agree Jersey.
I want due process, not knee jerk reactions, but it's too late for that.
Public opinion is done. Heather and ESPN made sure that happened without talking to anyone currently in the program.
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I wonder how much of this is "coverage" and how we perceive coverage.
It always strikes me the bad/upsetting looms larger in our minds. There's something in our wiring that wants to perceive that someone is trying to get us.
true. I read an article about it a few years ago and how humans are wired to be victims and become defensive.
Like I said, it's how I perceive things. It's not that these shouldn't be covered, but imo, the duration and amplitude feels different. Without documenting it, my perceptions could be exactly what you described. But for now... screw espn. =)
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^^^ there is that. Delany and Disney are not on the best of terms.
They made a billion dollar investment into the SEC. They should be biased to maximize that return. I'm ok with it. But don't pretend you're not doing it.
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They made a billion dollar investment into the SEC. They should be biased to maximize that return. I'm ok with it. But don't pretend you're not doing it.
So this is built on the idea that the SEC will thrive when the Big Ten suffers. This is kind of unclear.
There’s also the fact ESPN drops $31.6 million a year to play Big Ten games. So if they don’t want to hurt an investment, why hurt that one?
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no... it's built on the idea that the SEC is their biggest investment and they will have top 5 football divisions and still list #6 as a memo so the SEC shows up twice.
It is built on the idea that player arrests don't need to be treated equally.
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no... it's built on the idea that the SEC is their biggest investment and they will have top 5 football divisions and still list #6 as a memo so the SEC shows up twice.
It is built on the idea that player arrests don't need to be treated equally.
What does that mean?
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I doubt anybody here really cares what I think, but since I have opined, I want to make myself clear.
If that article correctly depicts the culture in Maryland football (I don't think it does), I want the entire staff gone. If negligence (or whatever we want to call it) led to McNair's death, the program should do whatever is needed to address that, including dismissal of whoever is responsible. This might include the captain of the ship.
My comments have been more about the shabby, headline-seeking coverage by ESPN than about the situation itself...
If a kid died, and people within the program or close the program felt nothing changed as a result, would that not be headline worthy?
I wonder if some of this owes to the aggregation era. Someone writes one story, and then everyone else writes their own story, and then lots of people write a story of a local reaction, and then multiple notable people talk about it because it needs the day, and their reaction intern becomes a story. It makes things feel so oppressive, but there isn’t one actor pulling most of the strings. Plus we can welcome all of it into our brains through a box in our pockets.
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Sounds like press conference at 2 pm
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There’s also the fact ESPN drops $31.6 million a year to play Big Ten games. So if they don’t want to hurt an investment, why hurt that one?
doesn't make Cents
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That step, this fast? It's a safe heuristic for Durkin getting the boot. Man, I really thought he was a lock to lead UMd on a breakthrough. And, honestly, if he hadn't suffered a QB decimation somehow greater than Michigan's last year, he probably would have in 2017. I'm stunned at how these 12 mos. unfolded.
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If a kid died, and people within the program or close the program felt nothing changed as a result, would that not be headline worthy?
Yes, that article would be headline-worthy and something that I could respect. There'd still be the caveat that I'd expect the reporters to seek out opinions, quotes and material that don't fit the story they was hoping to write before they started.
edit: updated to refer to all three reporters so as not to single anybody out. Left resulting bad grammar for humor, which any Terp fan needs right now.
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Didn't Rittenberg and VanHaaren author the piece with Dinich? If that article was supposedly a hit job: Why such peace for them?
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Yes, that article would be headline-worthy and something that I could respect. There'd still be the caveat that I'd expect the reporter to seek out opinions, quotes and material that don't fit the story she was hoping to write before she started.
Do we have much proof of that? Or is that speculation and reading into the intent?
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If a kid died, and people within the program or close the program felt nothing changed as a result, would that not be headline worthy?
Perhaps, but perhaps not. What if it actually WASN'T the fault of the program that the kid died? What if they did all the correct things, and it was just a tragedy?
These things do happen. Football is a strenuous and dangerous game. Whenever something like this happens, some people are out for blood, to find someone to blame. Sometimes it's just crap luck. We as people don't want to admit that because then it forces us to realize that such things could happen to us, or to our kids, just as easily as it happened to this player. But that still doesn't mean that the coaches were at fault.
I wasn't there, and so I'm just looking at this from the outside. So I'm not going to form an opinion on it either way. I don't have enough data to do so.
But I do want to highlight that you're begging the question (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question). In your question, you're assuming that something should change as a result of this death. And that if nothing changes, then outrage is warranted.
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They made a billion dollar investment into the SEC. They should be biased to maximize that return. I'm ok with it. But don't pretend you're not doing it.
it's always amazing to me that a board with this many intelligent posters still believes this. anyone care to explain why espn didn't jump on the meyer/osu story full bore? was actually worse, they flat out ignored it for as long as possible. or the fact that the b1g and espn are also in bed with each other with a massive new contract announced last year? but i guess those don't fit the narrative.
you guys and gals are better than this.
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Do we have much proof of that? Or is that speculation and reading into the intent?
No ironclad proof, I can't know what they were thinking. But it's awfully strange that while they claim to have "sat in the student union looking for players to interview..." they only encountered ones with caustic opinions that fit the tone of the story. Yet almost immediately, current players came out of the woodwork to contest the story.
But what's done is done. The important thing is that there is accountability for what happened to Jordan if mistakes were made and protocol not followed. 99.9% (not 100, sadly) of Maryland fans that I'm in contact with feel the same way.
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rolltide.. it always amazes me how many people don't believe it. ESPNU is basically the SECNetwork's second channel. Internet is full of examples of ESPN article titles, turning top 5's into top 6 lists, memo's for SEC teams or divisions when you don't memo others.....
again, I'd do the same. It's their #1 investment in College sports. Promote it. Push it. Again,... It's your #1 investment in College sports. It would be stupid not to promote it. But don't pretend it is not happening.
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Perhaps, but perhaps not. What if it actually WASN'T the fault of the program that the kid died? What if they did all the correct things, and it was just a tragedy?
These things do happen. Football is a strenuous and dangerous game. Whenever something like this happens, some people are out for blood, to find someone to blame. Sometimes it's just crap luck. We as people don't want to admit that because then it forces us to realize that such things could happen to us, or to our kids, just as easily as it happened to this player. But that still doesn't mean that the coaches were at fault.
I wasn't there, and so I'm just looking at this from the outside. So I'm not going to form an opinion on it either way. I don't have enough data to do so.
But I do want to highlight that you're begging the question (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question). In your question, you're assuming that something should change as a result of this death. And that if nothing changes, then outrage is warranted.
In real life, I often tend to go that way actually. Like was what he was doing THAT above and beyond? Was he not built well enough? Are any of us?
But here’s the thing, if that’s the case and you don’t think something should change, you gotta shout why from the dang rooftops. And you explain why and make it clear, to cut off outrage.
(It also speaks to the fact dynamics in sports are both strange and apart from normal society. And when those standards of interaction are held up, there often will be some friction)
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No ironclad proof, I can't know what they were thinking. But it's awfully strange that while they claim to have "sat in the student union looking for players to interview..." they only encountered ones with caustic opinions that fit the tone of the story. Yet almost immediately, current players came out of the woodwork to contest the story.
But what's done is done. The important thing is that there is accountability for what happened to Jordan if mistakes were made and protocol not followed. 99.9% (not 100, sadly) of Maryland fans that I'm in contact with feel the same way.
the speed suggests either they have overwhelming ammo or they are making an emotional reaction. Based upon the Maryland fans comments on this thread, it seems like an emotional one. That said, it has to be tough. A kid died and it doesn't appear to have happened on accident.
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An article in the Washington Post made it sound as though there are very real questions about why it took so long to start the body-temperature cooling protocols.
As for "toxicity," there are disgruntled people everywhere, and happy people (for whom the system is working) everywhere. The existence of either doesn't prove or disprove whether the culture is toxic.
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rolltide.. it always amazes me how many people don't believe it. ESPNU is basically the SECNetwork's second channel. Internet is full of examples of ESPN article titles, turning top 5's into top 6 lists, memo's for SEC teams or divisions when you don't memo others.....
again, I'd do the same. It's their #1 investment in College sports. Promote it. Push it. Again,... It's your #1 investment in College sports. It would be stupid not to promote it. But don't pretend it is not happening.
And they would want to promote by devaluing down other investments? It’s almost as if we want to find things that make us feel put upon.
By my math, the Big Ten gets the third-most money from ESPN, mostly becuase ESPN has all rights from the SEC and ACC. It would make more sense to target the Big 12 and PAC-12, unless this is someone playing out an imaginary war between two conferences.
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I never said they shouldn't cover news. I never stated that. I did say it is doesn't feel equal... and even explained my agreement on perceptions and how we are wired.,.. and I could be wrong. I guess I need to restate that...
I do firmly stand on the concept that they promote their largest investment more than others. In any business, not all investments are equal. If they don't, they're flat out dumb. I did make that statement (maybe off topic) and I'm not moving from it...
:)
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It was nice to see how heartfelt the administrators were about their interactions with this Jordan McNair's parents. Still, I'm surprised they called a press conference and didn't declare Durkin was fired. Not that I wanted that (I have no idea what justice is here), but the heuristics seemed to line up to predict it strongly.
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It was nice to see how heartfelt the administrators were about their interactions with this Jordan McNair's parents. Still, I'm surprised they called a press conference and didn't declare Durkin was fired. Not that I wanted that (I have no idea what justice is here), but the heuristics seemed to line up to predict it strongly.
I also thought that was odd. Doesn't make it the wrong call, just weird. I am envious that Maryland, unlike MSU, appears to have competent leadership for this.
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I also thought that was odd. Doesn't make it the wrong call, just weird. I am envious that Maryland, unlike MSU, appears to have competent leadership for this.
I don't really feel that way, ELA. Remember, this happened way back at Memorial Day. It was tricky because the McNairs hired an antagonistic attorney, but even so, I think they could have handled it much better.
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Yeah, I still think this is a botched issue.
You announce that Rick Court is no longer with the program, but he was the main guy behind the "toxic culture" accusations. He honestly had nothing to do with Jordan McNair.
Now the three trainers who have been with the program since Ralph was in place, are on leave, but they deserve the full brunt of this, because they didn't follow protocols.
I'm still of the belief that DJ Durkin needs to get back on the field as soon as possible.
However, with the release of Rick Court, it would appear that DJ's on The Chopping Block.
Just sickening.
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so, there are two issues here that are related
the death of a player issue and the toxic culture issue
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Many Univeristy Presidents and Administrators will be measured to this one in the future. Honest, candid, and sincere. Met with the family and quickly closed the loop with the public and media.
Well managed, for today at least.
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so, there are two issues here that are related
the death of a player issue and the toxic culture issue
And oddly, as I noted in a previous post when death or significant health issues have come up, rarely does anyone get fired. The Iowa strength & conditioning coach, who sent 12 players into full rhabdo, some with kidney failure, is one of Fwrentz’s most valued staffers, making over $500k for the Hawkeyes. Brian Kelly put a kid up on a scissor lift to film in 30-40mph winds and the kid died. As far as I know, no one lost a job at Notre Dame.
Meanwhile, when the far more ambiguous “culture” issues arise you end up on the street like Leach or Kevin Wilson.
I’m oversimplifying, but Durkin’s job is on the line for the culture issues now.
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I don't really feel that way, ELA. Remember, this happened way back at Memorial Day. It was tricky because the McNairs hired an antagonistic attorney, but even so, I think they could have handled it much better.
Perhaps, but today's PC was better than anything I've seen MSU do
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It was nice to see how heartfelt the administrators were about their interactions with this Jordan McNair's parents. Still, I'm surprised they called a press conference and didn't declare Durkin was fired. Not that I wanted that (I have no idea what justice is here), but the heuristics seemed to line up to predict it strongly.
Perhaps, but today's PC was better than anything I've seen MSU do
We should all endeavor to handle difficult situations as was done here. It is hard to do.
University of Maryland president Dr. Loh is a worldly guy, with a heady Wikipedia biography worth reading. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Loh
He has connections to Iowa having graduated from one of the top undergraduate colleges in the country, Grinnell College. He also graduated from Michigan, Cornell, and Yale, too. He is a past University of Iowa provost.
He obviously has high academic achievement, and after viewing the University of Maryland press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7q5wEOaI3w on display is a man of high integrity, accepting legal and moral responsibility by the University for its training staff. Dr. Loh is a man of high social intelligence. He is speaking with no notes, in a structured manner, on very serious topics.
Dr. Loh is the one who took a leadership role bringing Maryland into the Big Ten; based on his experiences in Iowa and Michigan, I am sure he was convinced this was best for his University.
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At 9:00 of the video, I think he refers to Barry Alvarez to sit on a committee to review the Maryland situation.
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I hope he has an answer for the other situation going on with Maryland right now.
I may quit watching and supporting Maryland for a long time.
I'm so disgusted right now. So hurt.
With a history like ours, I expect nothing but integrity, leadership, and being an example of how to do things the right way.
Betrayal only begins to describe my feelings, because news out of there could only get worse.
SMH
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Well said Hawkinole. These remarks, made extemporaneously as noted, we're incredibly earnest and conciliatory. This presents a much more accountable and convincing posture that a lot of institutions (private and public) can learn from.
Dare I say, leadership? I hope it doesn't end after the press conference.
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I hope he has an answer for the other situation going on with Maryland right now.
I may quit watching and supporting Maryland for a long time.
I'm so disgusted right now. So hurt.
With a history like ours, I expect nothing but integrity, leadership, and being an example of how to do things the right way.
Betrayal only begins to describe my feelings, because news out of there could only get worse.
SMH
If I were a U of Maryland graduate, I would be watchful, wait, and be hopeful. The response to this point exceeds what I expected from one of my earlier posts.
I am reminded of when one of the partners in a law firm I was in, had a daughter in a car accident that was her fault and sent one of the elderly persons she hit to the hospital. He was a kind man, and good attorney. He went to the hospital and did what Dr. Loh did here. What he did has tangential benefits. But he did it because it was the right thing to do. I don't think his daughter was sued. Actions like what Dr. Loh did here, mean a lot to those directly affected, if there is follow through. And it should mean something to others in the U of Maryland community, too. Dr. Loh makes a commitment to you and others at 4:20.
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Except everyone here seems to forget there's another investigation going on.
Not related to this.
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We remember. That one is going to take a while with how many kids and schools are involved. The FBI doesn't know what a deadline is either.
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Late to the conversation as I've been in the ICU the last 4 days with a leg infection.I only caught a little of this subject and thought it sprung from the unfortunate passing of that kid(RIP) at practice.One of the networks - think it was FoxSports1 were interviewing a former player(s).The impression I got from these guys there wasn't anything out of the norm.In other words it wasn't extreme military training designed by Otto Skorzeny or R.Lee Ermy to break the 101st.Can't remember for the life of me who it was though as i was getting pumped full of meds and tired at the time
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glad you're healthy and back among the posting
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rolltide.. it always amazes me how many people don't believe it. ESPNU is basically the SECNetwork's second channel. Internet is full of examples of ESPN article titles, turning top 5's into top 6 lists, memo's for SEC teams or divisions when you don't memo others.....
again, I'd do the same. It's their #1 investment in College sports. Promote it. Push it. Again,... It's your #1 investment in College sports. It would be stupid not to promote it. But don't pretend it is not happening.
i'm not saying they aren't pushing the sec, i'm saying they aren't doing it at the (directly intended) expense of the b1g, which they also have a massive contract with.
it's not that they don't promote the sec, it's that every time something negative gets discussed about the b1g, the narrative here is that 'esecpn is only focusing on bad b1g stuff to help prop up sec, their cash cow', which is insane. cfb is (one of) their cash cows, with sec and b1g being major players. and they're in bed with both financially.
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Eh, it's pretty widely known that Mickey Mouse is still having assburn over Big Jim walking away from negotiations and starting his own thing, with Fox as a partner.
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I’ve always thought the biases can become more subtle as well. Not necessarily some grand conspiracy per se. If your network or publication has a contract with a conference, you as a media member will spend a HUGE amount of time covering those teams and coaches. You forge relationships, much like a beat writer. When push comes to shove they naturally will be less critical about their own vs. how they cover others.
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Kinda what I'm thinking right there.
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Eh, it's pretty widely known that Mickey Mouse is still having assburn over Big Jim walking away from negotiations and starting his own thing, with Fox as a partner.
again, they just signed a huge contract with the b1g. can't be that mad.
I’ve always thought the biases can become more subtle as well. Not nexetsome grand conspiracy per se. if your network has a contract eith a conference you as a media member will spend a huge amount of time covering those teams and coaches. You forge relationships, much like a beat writer. When push comes to shove they naturally will be less critical about their own vs how they cover others.
i could see that on an individual basis. but it's not some grand conspiracy that espn formed as policy to out the b1g in favor of sec.
for the record, i'm not some espn fanboy. like most of you, only time i watch espn is when a game is on.
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again, they just signed a huge contract with the b1g. can't be that mad.i could see that on an individual basis. but it's not some grand conspiracy that espn formed as policy to out the b1g in favor of sec.
for the record, i'm not some espn fanboy. like most of you, only time i watch espn is when a game is on.
They had no choice. They have to stay relevant. Way too many eyeballs in B1G country, not to mention a huge alumni base that is all over the USA and world.
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they had a choice
they chose to follow the money
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Wish I had the ability to follow the cash like that
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They had no choice. They have to stay relevant. Way too many eyeballs in B1G country, not to mention a huge alumni base that is all over the USA and world.
agree 100%, which is my whole point. they won't shit on the b1g just to prop up sec/acc/etc. just like they won't dis cfb and/or cbb just because the nfl/nba makes them more money. they have large investments in both, not going to hurt one just to potentially help the other one. not even sure how it would, not like the b1g people are going to change the teams they support just because espn has 3 more minutes on sec teams during cfblive, and vice versa.
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Back on topic...
I was wondering when this would happen, and here it is. Jabrill Peppers weighs in. It would be interesting to hear what his old bosses (looking at you, Jim and Urban) have to say (if anything).
Former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers: Ex-coordinator DJ Durkin's tactics 'felt extreme'
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/08/14/jabrill-peppers-dj-durkin-coaching-tactics/994649002/
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Urban isn't talking to the press at the moment, but I'm sure Jimmy could give up some awkward pauses at the podium this afternoon post-practice
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Back on topic...
I was wondering when this would happen, and here it is. Jabrill Peppers weighs in. It would be interesting to hear what his old bosses (looking at you, Jim and Urban) have to say (if anything).
Former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers: Ex-coordinator DJ Durkin's tactics 'felt extreme'
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/08/14/jabrill-peppers-dj-durkin-coaching-tactics/994649002/
So what?
Like Muschamp said, you can always find disgruntled players.
The time to pile on. I guess Harbaugh is complicit too, since he brought him with him.
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Muschamp… asshat. I can't believe he said what he did.
I don't think anyone is piling on. If a former player talks, it's a story - or at least part of the story.
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Damn. EDSBS being EDSBS. https://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2018/8/15/17693280/to-hell-with-every-bit-of-this
When Spencer Hall wants to really write, watch the F out...
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So that article.. yeah.
On that same page was a link to this one though. Freakin' hilarious!!
https://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2018/8/14/17687734/flashback-the-blackout-of-2003
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Maryland player's mom: Group of parents will offer 'full support' for Durkin
https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/1583461
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both sides are piling on right now... this will be tough for Maryland's administration.
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I'd agree. How many SEC Network personalities have crossover shows or guest appearances on ESPN?
I’ve always thought the biases can become more subtle as well. Not necessarily some grand conspiracy per se. If your network or publication has a contract with a conference, you as a media member will spend a HUGE amount of time covering those teams and coaches. You forge relationships, much like a beat writer. When push comes to shove they naturally will be less critical about their own vs. how they cover others.
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Muschamp… asshat. I can't believe he said what he did.
I don't think anyone is piling on. If a former player talks, it's a story - or at least part of the story.
What'd he say haven't had time to catch up on all the drama?
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I'd agree. How many SEC Network personalities have crossover shows or guest appearances on ESPN?
ESPN/SECN certainly had a stronger crossover plan from launch than FOX/BTN did. From talent to graphics, you really would never know if you were watching ESPN or SECN. At least ESPNU or SECN.
It took until the last couple years to even tell FOX and BTN were partners, let alone any sort of synergy between presentations. Granted FOX only started televising Big Ten games in the past couple years, so there was really no use for it.
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What'd he say haven't had time to catch up on all the drama?
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/will-muschamp-defends-dj-durkin-rips-anonymous-sources-from-maryland-report/
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Thanx,well I agree if an "anonymous" source is sullying your rep - unfairly I might add well then have the nuts to stand up and be recognized.Or the reporter can add that it is one mans opinion and not an established fact
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an "anonymous" source is very weak
but, I thought there were more than a few sources that had names attached. Why not focus on them?
attacking an anonymous source is weak if there are credible sources out there
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Well true FF but are those credible sources anonymous?Not saying anonymity means bogus just smacks of less conviction.If your going to tar & feather someone in public have the cajones to attach your name if the point is valid & important.
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Well true FF but are those credible sources anonymous?Not saying anonymity means bogus just smacks of less conviction.If your going to tar & feather someone in public have the cajones to attach your name if the point is valid & important.
That’s an interesting question right there.
If you put your name on it, there’s a good chance you’re headed for a career change. Maybe that’s worth it. I’m sure that kind of thing prevents plenty of truth from being out there.
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a career change shouldn't be needed if the charges you are reporting are correct
If it's someone from inside the Maryland program and they feel that way, they probably need to get out.
there are enough good young & old head coaches out there that wouldn't allow that crap in their program
yes, this does prevent some people from speaking up, but those folks are weak and don't have the conviction to stand up for what's right.
In my book, a credible source is one with a name. yes, I understand there are good and bad sources out there with and w/o names. In a court of law, are anonymous sources allowed as testimony?
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a career change shouldn't be needed if the charges you are reporting are correct
If it's someone from inside the Maryland program and they feel that way, they probably need to get out.
there are enough good young & old head coaches out there that wouldn't allow that crap in their program
yes, this does prevent some people from speaking up, but those folks are weak and don't have the conviction to stand up for what's right.
In my book, a credible source is one with a name. yes, I understand there are good and bad sources out there with and w/o names. In a court of law, are anonymous sources allowed as testimony?
They do need to get out of Maryland. But college sports are by nature secretive, and revealing wrongdoing still violates that secrecy. And that might mean not working in that field again. And if you like working in that field, you might not want to stop.
If that makes a person weak, then most people are weak.
I think back to a transfer a few years ago. UW was convinced Iowa tampered. UW wouldn’t actually say it. Bo wouldn’t say it. He’d make the kid pay his own way, but he, who was as secure as one could be, wouldn’t even say it.
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Well, now there's apparently 2 Stanford players saying both Durkin and Harbaugh are terrible coaches.
The family won't settle until Durkin is fired.
They've gone on a world tour of sorts trying to destroy the program, even though parents and current students still say this is a BS claim and are in Durkin's corner.
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Some Marylanders believe Alvarez may be the last person referenced in Loh's press conference.
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Some Marylanders believe Alvarez may be the last person referenced in Loh's press conference.
? What was the reference?
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Well, now there's apparently 2 Stanford players saying both Durkin and Harbaugh are terrible coaches.
anonymous sources?
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? What was the reference?
A new commission made to investigate this "toxic culture" claim.
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U.of Maryland President took responsibility for the player’s death and seemed to indicate it was a training and medical staff issue where they failed to follow proceedure. The football program toxic culture was a different issue and is being investigated separately. IMO Durkin is done given today’s environment.
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I just read an article that said Maryland will fire Durkin, his AD and the university president.
That's a lot of fire, if true.
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I just read an article that said Maryland will fire Durkin, his AD and the university president.
That's a lot of fire, if true.
I thought the UMd president handled the PC well. Maybe MSU has handled their issues so poorly my standards have dropped, but I heard this morning the president rejected a recommendation to have all player medical issues governed by the unaffiliated Baltimore campus, due to concerns about the influence the athletic department had over the College Park health system. I wonder if that is what will bring him down?
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I just read an article that said Maryland will fire Durkin, his AD and the university president.
That's a lot of fire, if true.
Maybe the same scenario unfolds in C-Bus,would be a welcomed relief actually
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I just read an article that said Maryland will fire Durkin, his AD and the university president.
That's a lot of fire, if true.
Didn't know there was an article, but Chick Hernandez tweeted that, and he's well connected.
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President as well as the AD and coach? Seems like a PR move.... BUT... they might have more details.
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Not a good look here:
Former Maryland AD defended players with school funds in a sexual misconduct case
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/former-maryland-ad-defended-players-with-school-funds-in-a-sexual-misconduct-case/
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You'd think the BIG would be learning from the SEC and allow boosters to do these things..
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Muschamp can be unhinged at times. I saw it when he was DC going after a referee and having to be restrained. I would never hire him because of his temper. He also thinks in general that training camps should be hyperintense and I would guess his players don't like him, not that they have to of course, but because the culture is negative.
USCe might be the same as UMd in this respect, or close, or worse.
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Not a good look here:
Former Maryland AD defended players with school funds in a sexual misconduct case
this also occurred at Baylor?
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Muschamp can be unhinged at times. I saw it when he was DC going after a referee and having to be restrained. I would never hire him because of his temper. He also thinks in general that training camps should be hyperintense and I would guess his players don't like him, not that they have to of course, but because the culture is negative.
USCe might be the same as UMd in this respect, or close, or worse.
What?!?
Why commit? Why not transfer? Why transfer in? Why come back for a 5th season?
I don't get the comparison, because the players and parents are still behind Durkin.
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It seems the Maryland investigative report is circulated to the Regents, but not Dr. Loh. Dr. Loh's handling of this made him almost an icon of what you should do under these circumstances, but others in the State of Maryland did not think so because he admitted "legal and moral responsibility." (I have seen defense attorneys in civil litigation admit legal liability in an effort I think to curry favor with a jury - depends on the case, and it takes a big man). This from ESPN:
"Loh's future as university leader seems unknown. Sources said his decision to publicly accept "legal and moral responsibility" for mistakes made on May 29 upset high-ranking state officials. Loh also could face repercussions for his decision not to accept a proposal in 2017 that would have made athletic trainers completely autonomous from the athletic department in their reporting responsibilities, and for his lack of a response to a letter delivered by a Maryland football parent in 2016 -- reported by The Washington Post in late September -- alleging abuse in Durkin's program." http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25056412/latest-maryland-football-investigation (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25056412/latest-maryland-football-investigation)
Read the above article, and one could easily conclude Durkin will not survive at Maryland, but the statements in the parent letter to Dr. Loh while using dramatic language are entirely conclusory without detailed statements of what caused the parent to draw such conclusions. Maybe it warranted a phone conference with the football coach about "I have this letter, what is going on?" https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/collegiate/motivation-or-abuse-new-allegations-emerge-from-maryland-football-program/article_11725f91-dedb-5dc3-bdc5-b84eb4a95c01.html (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/collegiate/motivation-or-abuse-new-allegations-emerge-from-maryland-football-program/article_11725f91-dedb-5dc3-bdc5-b84eb4a95c01.html) Without factual allegations I don't know what else you do.
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It seems the Maryland investigative report is circulated to the Regents, but not Dr. Loh. Dr. Loh's handling of this made him almost an icon of what you should do under these circumstances, but others in the State of Maryland did not think so because he admitted "legal and moral responsibility." (I have seen defense attorneys in civil litigation admit legal liability in an effort I think to curry favor with a jury - depends on the case, and it takes a big man). This from ESPN:
"Loh's future as university leader seems unknown. Sources said his decision to publicly accept "legal and moral responsibility" for mistakes made on May 29 upset high-ranking state officials. Loh also could face repercussions for his decision not to accept a proposal in 2017 that would have made athletic trainers completely autonomous from the athletic department in their reporting responsibilities, and for his lack of a response to a letter delivered by a Maryland football parent in 2016 -- reported by The Washington Post in late September -- alleging abuse in Durkin's program." http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25056412/latest-maryland-football-investigation (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25056412/latest-maryland-football-investigation)
Read the above article, and one could easily conclude Durkin will not survive at Maryland, but the statements in the parent letter to Dr. Loh while using dramatic language are entirely conclusory without detailed statements of what caused the parent to draw such conclusions. Maybe it warranted a phone conference with the football coach about "I have this letter, what is going on?" https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/collegiate/motivation-or-abuse-new-allegations-emerge-from-maryland-football-program/article_11725f91-dedb-5dc3-bdc5-b84eb4a95c01.html (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sports/level/collegiate/motivation-or-abuse-new-allegations-emerge-from-maryland-football-program/article_11725f91-dedb-5dc3-bdc5-b84eb4a95c01.html) Without factual allegations I don't know what else you do.
Hawk, this post doesn't really address all the issues people in the Maryland community have with Dr. Loh and how he's handled this horrible mess. Yes, many think it was unwise to admit liability on August 10, but the bungling started long before then, and he was in charge of this from day 1.
His performance in that press conference went over well across the country, but didn't come across as genuine in the Maryland community. I'll leave it at that.
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I haven't been following this very closely. Did Durkin's suspension come about as a result of a complaint by a parent? And what is "toxic football culture?" At first pass I thought that sounded like BS and what was needed was an Rx for tough pills. I'm beginning to suspected that this issue may have been raised by the University President as a knee jerk reaction and to deflect from the tragic death of the student athlete. But again, I haven't been paying attention.
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I haven't been following this very closely. Did Durkin's suspension come about as a result of a complaint by a parent? And what is "toxic football culture?" At first pass I thought that sounded like BS and what was needed was an Rx for tough pills. I'm beginning to suspected that this issue may have been raised by the University President as a knee jerk reaction and to deflect from the tragic death of the student athlete. But again, I haven't been paying attention.
I believe I've mentioned it several times in this thread.
Toxic culture story comes from Heather Dinich, who has a history with Maryland, and the lawyer who is representing Jordan McNair's parents. The same lawyer who represented Freddie Gray. He went straight to her.
The goal is to destroy public opinion first, then destroy them in the courtroom.
Again, Damian Prince and Derwin Gray came back for their senior seasons, and based that decision off of what they thought DJ Durkin could do with this team.
Many of the players tweeted not to believe what you read the day the article came out.
Other players like Shane Cockerille, who said he wasn't a model student or football player, still gave credit to Durkin and said it was nowhere near what was being said. Perry Hills said the same thing.
But apparently there are disgruntled players out there and a coach or two, one of which is presumably now at Penn State, who claimed they were too mean to the players.
Now, I know recruiting is a dirty business, but this may be one of the slimiest things I've ever seen.
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https://www.google.com/amp/s/wtop.com/ncaa-football/2018/10/report-culture-inside-u-md-football-program-not-toxic/amp/
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This is an interesting way to motivate.....
https://twitter.com/nicoleauerbach/status/1055550474907193344?s=21 (https://twitter.com/nicoleauerbach/status/1055550474907193344?s=21)
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She's trying to make it up to the big leagues, and Dinich is her idol.
It's pretty interesting how her little sports rag, The Athletic, got some sort of scoop from disgruntled parents, isn't it?
No, these faceless and voiceless parents didn't go to a reputable source... They went to her.
She's also leaving out some information.
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I'm not saying it's disqualifying for a coach, but let's at least focus on the content instead of the person reporting it.
Is that true about those videos? Drill bits going into eyeballs? Again, I am not saying that's disqualifying for Durkin. But unless it's untrue, it absolutely deserves a W-T-Fork.
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She's trying to make it up to the big leagues, and Dinich is her idol.
It's pretty interesting how her little sports rag, The Athletic, got some sort of scoop from disgruntled parents, isn't it?
No, these faceless and voiceless parents didn't go to a reputable source... They went to her.
She's also leaving out some information.
MCW, I mean this as politely as I can, none of this is accurate.
She was hired at a USA Today basketball writer out of college. She made it years ago.
The Athletic is a venture of big-name sports writers hoping that good stories will be the basis of a sustainable economic model. It’s not being run well, but it’s bought plenty of reputation.
That’s not a scoop from parents. That’s part of the report. No one went to her.
She’s leaving out info because it’s a picture in a tweet. It’s literally just posting a small, weird part of the report to the internet.
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The report is out. It says the culture is not toxic, but aspects were very troubling. I will not characterize further. Better to read for yourself, and decide. http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25082150/investigation-maryland-program-shows-abuses-no-toxic-culture (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25082150/investigation-maryland-program-shows-abuses-no-toxic-culture)
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Anderson or Durkin or both "solicited and facilitated payment to a law firm to represent the accused players" regarding alleged sexual misconduct. They attempted to cover the $15,000 fee by calling it a "speaking engagement." Eventually, it was labeled an "eligibility consultation" so the university foundation could pay for it. (From the ESPN article linked above).
My unschooled thinking in these matters is, "The NCAA will be calling."
The NCAA will tolerate cars for the use of student athlete football players, but not this.
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I'm not saying it's disqualifying for a coach, but let's at least focus on the content instead of the person reporting it.
Is that true about those videos? Drill bits going into eyeballs? Again, I am not saying that's disqualifying for Durkin. But unless it's untrue, it absolutely deserves a W-T-Fork.
They watched all kinds of movies, and Animal Planet. Horror movies played, according to the report, and some players thought they were gross. Whether it was some form of brainwashing or not can't be explained by the report.
The way they talk, it's like a Nine Inch Nail video all day everyday.
And yes, parents supposedly confronted this woman at the Athletic to tell them that their voices weren't being heard. They were going to do whatever they could to get Durkin fired.
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They watched all kinds of movies, and Animal Planet. Horror movies played, according to the report, and some players thought they were gross. Whether it was some form of brainwashing or not can't be explained by the report.
The way they talk, it's like a Nine Inch Nail video all day everyday.
And yes, parents supposedly confronted this woman at the Athletic to tell them that their voices weren't being heard. They were going to do whatever they could to get Durkin fired.
All she is reporting here is what is directly from the University investigative report. She literally pulled copy from it and put it on Twitter. If there is an issue, it shouldn't rest with her, it should with the report completed by Maryland's investigators.
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MCW, I mean this as politely as I can, none of this is accurate.
She was hired at a USA Today basketball writer out of college. She made it years ago.
The Athletic is a venture of big-name sports writers hoping that good stories will be the basis of a sustainable economic model. It’s not being run well, but it’s bought plenty of reputation.
That’s not a scoop from parents. That’s part of the report. No one went to her.
She’s leaving out info because it’s a picture in a tweet. It’s literally just posting a small, weird part of the report to the internet.
Completely side tracking here BAB, but curious if you might expand upon your thoughts? Business side or content? I subscribed a few months back and have been very pleased with the content. There were a few fantastic writers they brought in locally in MSP and nationally in the sports I follow heavily.
I've always struggled to see how they can turn a profit when you number crunch potential payroll + travel expenses around the country for beat writers. Even with the rumored membership base in the mid hundreds of thousands, it does not add up, especially at $3 - $5 a month. And, once you get past the die hards it seems it will be much harder to acquire more members. Unless they are in it for the really long game, awaiting the decimation of print media in a number of markets they serve.
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Completely side tracking here BAB, but curious if you might expand upon your thoughts? Business side or content? I subscribed a few months back and have been very pleased with the content. There were a few fantastic writers they brought in locally in MSP and nationally in the sports I follow heavily.
I've always struggled to see how they can turn a profit when you number crunch potential payroll + travel expenses around the country for beat writers. Even with the rumored membership base in the mid hundreds of thousands, it does not add up, especially at $3 - $5 a month. And, once you get past the die hards it seems it will be much harder to acquire more members. Unless they are in it for the really long game, awaiting the decimation of print media in a number of markets they serve.
Just the payroll stuff you mentioned. They’re adding so much pricy talent. The best online stuff starts small and work outward.
Content is great and well worth the price
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Durkin is back in 10/30/18, per the Regents. Can you imagine how Maryland would recruit athletes when your opponents walk into a parent's home and show that an independent investigation showed Durkin was partially responsible for events leading to the death of someone's kid on his football team? A disaster was unfolding, complete with the constructive firing of the President of the university by the regents, which president agrees to submit his retirement effective June 2019 perhaps in deference to the regents, but next day, the retiring president fires the coach the Regents tried to keep on-board. The president determined it is the right thing to do for the university.
The regents chair showed leadership; not good leadership. The President, under enormous pressure consults with student government, university deans and the business community and within 24-hours he exercises moral leadership. I know Mcwterps may not agree, but Dr. Loh appears to have saner judgment.
I don't feel so bad for Dr. Loh. He will never find another job with greater responsibility than that he exercised since June 2018. If he wants to keep working in retirement, he will find better work, as he passed the leadership test under great stress. If he retires finally now, he does so with considerable honor.
If I were the governor of Maryland I might start looking at what can be done to change the make-up of the regents, but they may be insulated from recrimination. Their regents are volunteers led by a chair who seems to have found comfort in a hot seat. You can't always follow.
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So was Durkin fired for cause? If not how much is this going to cost Maryland?
No cause, $5 million buyout. Thats a lot of cash for them right now.
Who do they get for the next head coach?
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Before joining the BIG Maryland Athletic Dept financially was on a slippery slope,so hopefully the Terps aren't eating a lot of it
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It's a hot mess in Maryland. Some players with strong feelings for Durkin and some players against. Dr. Loh is out of there in June.
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So was Durkin fired for cause? If not how much is this going to cost Maryland?
No cause, $5 million buyout. Thats a lot of cash for them right now.
Who do they get for the next head coach?
I bet not for cause. Getting into a damn lawsuit would be a sub after my way to extricate themselves from the situation.
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Who do they get for the next head coach?
the dude coaching them the past few weeks has done a solid job imo
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Can you imagine how Maryland would recruit athletes when your opponents walk into a parent's home and show that an independent investigation showed Durkin was partially responsible for events leading to the death of someone's kid on his football team?
They would be lying though. That's precisely the opposite of what the report said, but everyone outside of the situation are experts on it.
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Who do they get for the next head coach?
Mike Locksley is the only person that might want the job, and the only one that could right the ship for the foreseeable future.
He's well liked and known around the DMV in all HS's.
The hope here also could be that he learned something from Saban and can overlook his terrible record and NM, and his own skeletons.
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Mike Locksley is the only person that might want the job, and the only one that could right the ship for the foreseeable future.
He's well liked and known around the DMV in all HS's.
The hope here also could be that he learned something from Saban and can overlook his terrible record and NM, and his own skeletons.
With the right OC/DC combo around him, that could work. Dude can recruit the region, no doubt there.
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Butch Jones said to have interest.
Yawn
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why not Canada?
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Butch Jones said to have interest.
Yawn
Yeah, we've seen how that goes when Kelly doesn't hand him a program.
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I think The Fridge would be a good stop-gap hire. Greg Schiano would be my pick for a long-term hire.
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why not Canada?
Canada does not want to be a head coach, despite what some here will have you believe. He can't stand being on the sideline, and he was talking to DJ Durkin the entire year while this has been going on.
When DJ walked on the practice field, Canada was smiling ear-to-ear. For once I think he was finally comfortable.
Schiano? No.
Doesn't matter who Maryland hires as the coach. The media will be all over it like we just started World War 3.
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The reports exonerated DJ Durkin.
In 2014, you had a player die at Morgan State before school even started, on the practice field of the same thing. The coach was never in question, and he ended up being coach of the year.
Brian Kelly is still the coach at Notre Dame even though he asked a videographer to go up on a lift in high winds before falling to his death.
The media outrage has been Amplified so much and I still can't figure out why.
Heather dinich was played by the lawyer for the McNair's. When the report came out that there was no toxic culture, ESPN triple down on the coverage and exploded whenever the Board of Regents decided to reinstate Durkin because it wasn't his fault.
I believe there was another heatstroke related death in football at a smaller College in the Northeast before Jordan. You heard nothing of it.
I guess you can really make an example out of Maryland because it's not big enough to be above it, but it's big enough to make an example of.
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Canada does not want to be a head coach, despite what some here will have you believe. He can't stand being on the sideline, and he was talking to DJ Durkin the entire year while this has been going on.
Canada is a smart man
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Canada is a smart man
What does this even mean?
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There may not be another game this year.
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On his only day back in his capacity as Head Coach Durkin for Maryland, a fight breaks out on the practice field and a reserve punter and supporter of Jordan McNair who spoke out against some of the coaching staff was administered a black eye.
Then, acting without approval of the Board of Regents, the University president fired Durkin, 10/31/18.
On 11/1/18, the chairman of the Board of Regents resigned.
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On his only day back in his capacity as Head Coach Durkin for Maryland, a fight breaks out on the practice field and a reserve punter and supporter of Jordan McNair who spoke out against some of the coaching staff was administered a black eye.
Then, acting without approval of the Board of Regents, the University president fired Durkin, 10/31/18.
On 11/1/18, the chairman of the Board of Regents resigned.
Fake News!
You see....this is the problem. The lawyer is manipulating everything, and the people who know the least, have the expert opinions.
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An SI writer suggested Maryland go get Navy’s coach. I’m guessing that’s not a move MCW would like, especially with Navy’s current season.
It asks an interesting question, should the Terps go for a recruiter or a “different” scheme guy? Fridge was, if I recall correctly more scheme than recruiter, which often leads to a coaches’ ouster. Edsall was, in theory, a program leader/developer more than anything, whose hires were kind of all over. Durkin was clearly recruiter first, with a strong scheme approach on D. He hired Canada for scheme on O, and that’s been a dud in year 1, though the defense seems to be thriving without him.
Would Maryland going weird for a higher floor, lower ceiling be good? Brohm was kinda that at Purdue, granted the recruiting surprised. Purdue is also a different world in terms of local talent, though holding onto local talent has oft been a Maryland issue.
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Brohm's only one season in a difficult port of call.He may have a much higher ceiling than you're indicating
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I watched 3Q of the UCF game last night. Now that is an offense. I'd go for something like that were I UMd, truly.
I don't guess UCF has a bunch of great players they recruited, but they can make you dizzy with their offense.
Combine that with a good QB and half decent defense and you'd be very dangerous. I pity the P5 team that gets to face them in a bowl.
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like War Eagle last season?
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What does this even mean?
just means that a coordinator can make good money, run his system, stay away from the podium most of the time, and not deal with all the drama and crap of the head coach
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like War Eagle last season?
Yeah, disappointed team, no real upside to winning, seniors looking to the draft perhaps, frenetic offense, recipe for loss.
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Brohm's only one season in a difficult port of call.He may have a much higher ceiling than you're indicating
True, but he wasn’t brought in because you thought he’d rake in the stars. He was brought in becuase of an offense that seemed “different.” He’s proving a better recruiter, but that’s not his schtick.
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An SI writer suggested Maryland go get Navy’s coach. I’m guessing that’s not a move MCW would like, especially with Navy’s current season.
That ship sailed the last time around.
I don't want that garbage offense either.
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True, but he wasn’t brought in because you thought he’d rake in the stars. He was brought in becuase of an offense that seemed “different.” He’s proving a better recruiter, but that’s not his schtick.
If ya don't have the horses you can't win the race.All things being equal defenses will adjust and find the weakness.Keep recruiting good and mixing things up it could get interesting in W.Lay.Joe Tiller did a good job there
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I'd say it's already interesting
I doubt the non-con preseason goes as poorly next year
hopefully that's also the deal for Northwestern - geez
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That ship sailed the last time around.
I don't want that garbage offense either.
What I figured.
(I love that offense, but respect it’s not for everyone)
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If ya don't have the horses you can't win the race.All things being equal defenses will adjust and find the weakness.Keep recruiting good and mixing things up it could get interesting in W.Lay.Joe Tiller did a good job there
Yes and no.
Purdue has one horse that would start at OSU, and I saw some racin’ right there.
You have guys like Freidgen who seem to raise your floor, but can’t quite recruit to a level to raise a team to that next step. That produce lots of good without the potential for great. A good example of this is at Minnesota. Fleck and Brewster were brought in for recruiting. Mason and Kill were solid there, but built better, if lower ceiling teams.
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Not my floor,with Purdue's/Brohms good showing a lot of kids are getting another option.Not everyone wants to play for ND/tOSU/M etc.If Brohm stays for 3 years I think we'll see a lot of recruiting surprises.Purdue was a national power in the mid-late '60's.And supposedly a hell of an Engineering School.And Moore might start(in C-Bus),maybe Blackmon and on the right day maybe Blough.Haven't followed their line play but maybe 1 or 2 there
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What I figured.
(I love that offense, but respect it’s not for everyone)
I mean, that's practically what we're doing right now. It hasn't worked in 4 games already. Difference is, we don't play the option QB.