University of Maryland head football coach D.J. Durkin is back on the job. The Board of Regents announced Tuesday that it has reinstated him.
Durkin had been suspended since August while independent investigations delved into the death of Jordan McNair and the claims of a toxic culture within the program. Athletic Director, Damon Evans will also keep his post while university president Wallace Loh announced he'll retire next June.
McNair died in June of heat stroke after an off-season workout.
McNair's parents didn't say much at Tuesday's news conference but you could see by the looks on their faces, they were not happy with the board of regent's decision.
"I miss my son everyday and today, it just didn't help. Didin't help at all," said McNair's mother, Tonya Wilson.
They stood stoicly as their attorney addressed the media.
"Today, the board ratified and validated the heartbreaking actions by Coach Durkin and his staff," said the family's attorney, Hassan Murphy.
The Board of Regents addressed the results of an independent commission investigation saying it found the football program did include a culture where players were afraid to speak out
"Players' parents fall into a couple distinct categories; those who support Coach Durkin, those who don't but are fearful of speaking and those who don't and have spoken out," said Murphy.
But that culture had nothing to do with McnNair's death--prompting Durkin's reinstatement.
"I feel like I've been punched in the stomach and somebody spit in my face," said McNair's father, Marty McNair.
McNair died in June, two weeks after suffering heatstroke during a team workout. the family's attorney said university president, Wallace Loh was the only person who accepted moral and legal responsibility for McNair's death.
"If the university will not do right by Jordan, we promise to explore every possible avenue that will."
His father saying they will honor his son through a foundation in his memory.
"The main goal of that is to educate and make a way of prevention and education about heat stroke injuries or heat related injuries so this won't happen to someone else's child."
The Board of Regents is set to create an independent monitor to oversee athletics reforms within the University of Maryland football program.
The Terps host Michigan State Saturday; Durkin is expected to be on the field.
