McNair lawyer calls for Maryland head coach Durkin to be fired
The attorney for the family of the University of Maryland offensive lineman who died after a strenuous offseason workout is calling for Terrapins football coach DJ Durkin to be fired, citing the abusive culture of the program and the team's failure to properly react after Jordan McNair fell ill on the practice field.
The 19-year-old McNair was hospitalized May 29 and died June 13. McNair family attorney Billy Murphy Jr. said Sunday he's seen the preliminary death certificate and has concluded, "This is an obvious heatstroke case."
Durkin was placed on administrative leave Saturday in the wake of reports that he and his staff verbally abused and humiliated players since his arrival in College Park, Maryland, two years ago.
"Coach Durkin should be fired immediately," Murphy said. "His conduct and the conduct of the coaches was reprehensible. They were not prepared ... to deal with a heatstroke incident."
Murphy also contended the climate of the program was all wrong, and cannot be corrected unless Durkin is no longer part of it.
Durkin "fostered a horrible culture," Murphy said, that included "physical and verbal" abuse of players.
"And the third reason he ought to be fired is: How are you going to have a viable football program as long as it is possible for him to become the coach again?" Murphy said.
Murphy has not yet filed a lawsuit against the school on behalf of the family, but said that's only a matter of time. Dr. Rod Walters, a former college athletic trainer, has been hired by Maryland to head an independent investigation, which is expected to be available by Sept. 15.
"In the best of all possible worlds we want to wait until that investigation is released," Murphy said.
Maryland has put two high-ranking members of the athletic training staff on administrative leave. Murphy said an investigation by his law firm determined the team's head trainer, Wes Robinson, was on the scene when McNair collapsed.
"We have corroborated facts that Wes Robinson made completely callous statements to Jordan McNair as he was suffering from heatstroke, as his temperature was rising to 106 degrees," Murphy said. "He yelled at Jordan McNair, 'Drag (your butt) across the field.' That is absolutely reprehensible and completely reflects the culture that we're saying and has been pervading the University of Maryland."
Clemson QB question: Bryant or newcomer Lawrence
For those expecting clarity on Clemson's quarterback question after the Tigers' first scrimmage, forget it. Incumbent
Kelly Bryant and newcomer
Trevor Lawrence both played strongly Saturday in a big showing for Clemson's offense.
"I tell everybody, I'd hate to be (quarterback coach)
Brandon Streeter," tight end
Milan Richard said. "We got guys who can play."
Just who should play most for the Tigers, expected to romp through the Atlantic Coast Conference and into the College Football Playoff, is a continuing debate.
Bryant is a senior who stepped in for national championship quarterback
Deshaun Watson a year ago and led the Tigers to a 12-2 mark and their third ACC title and CFP trip. Lawrence is a tall, strong-armed freshman who broke Watson's Georgia state high school marks for passing yards and touchdowns.
It's a question everyone's got an opinion on — except, for now, Clemson coach
Dabo Swinney.
Both played well in the scrimmage. Bryant started things off with a 70-yard scoring drive while Lawrence followed with another scoring series.
Tennessee QB race still up for grabs
Nobody has emerged as a front-runner in the Tennessee's quarterback competition, coach Jeremy Pruitt said Sunday.
Incumbent starter Jarrett Guarantano is attempting to hold off challenges from Stanford graduate transfer Keller Chryst, sophomore Will McBride and freshman JT Shrout.
"If you look over all the practices, there's really nobody (who's) kind of separated himself yet," Pruitt said after the Vols' first preseason scrimmage.
Guarantano started six of Tennessee's final seven games as a redshirt freshman last season and completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 997 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Chryst won 11 of his 13 career starts at Stanford but lost his job to K.J. Costello last season.
McBride started one game for Tennessee in place of an injured Guarantano.
Tennessee opens the season Sept. 1 against West Virginia at Charlotte, North Carolina. The Vols are trying to bounce back from a season in which they went 4-8, set a school record for losses and went winless in Southeastern Conference competition.