The University System of Maryland Board of Regents has announced that it has accepted the findings and recommendations from the eight-member independent commission team investigating the UMD football program.
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The board has not made a final decision regarding the investigation into the University of Maryland football program.
According to ESPN, the board stated in its report that it found troubling incidents under coach DJ Durkin, but there were no signs of a "toxic culture."
The report did highlight some occasions involving the behavior of coach Rick Court, who resigned in August. The allegations in the report eluded that Court used inappropriate slurs and "engaged in abusive conduct," according to ESPN.
A 'departmental failure' is what the board stated in the report to justify the lack of leadership and oversight within the football program.
The USM Board of Regents released the following statement regarding the findings:
“Since the tragic death of Jordan McNair and the allegations that subsequently surfaced regarding the culture of the University of Maryland, College Park football program, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents has been committed to uncovering every possible fact, making any and all decisions necessary to safeguard the well-being of student-athletes across the state, and to sharing transparently what we learn and decide.
“This process involved both an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding death of Mr. McNair by Dr. Rod Walters and, separately, an independent commission to investigate the culture of the university’s football program.
“The board accepts the commission’s report and findings with deep respect and gratitude for the thorough and deliberate manner in which its members went about their work. This excellent report provides the board and the people of Maryland a much more complete window into the culture of the football program and athletics department.
“The board also accepts the independent commission’s recommendations for reforming the UMCP athletics department, including recommendations related to the strength and conditioning program and the adoption of an independent medical model.
“We will work with UMCP and every campus in the system to ensure that these recommendations are promptly implemented and that the changes are closely monitored over the coming months and years. We hope and expect these reforms will result in an environment that is more supportive of the needs of student-athletes in Maryland and, ultimately, across the nation. Going forward, we must ensure that the University of Maryland, College Park football program operates at the highest possible level consistent with our values.
‘We can never forget that the death of a young man, Jordan McNair, precipitated this review and we must strive to do everything possible to ensure it never happens again.”
The board says that they will continue their deliberations on Friday, October 26.
