Maryland tries to focus on safety at practice

COLLEGE PARK, MD. » Maryland interim coach Matt Canada has taken steps to ensure that the Terrapins are poised to deal with the heat of summer during his practices following the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair.

In the first workout since Maryland publicly accepted responsibility for mistakes that contributed to McNair’s death, two tents were in the place at the practice field Wednesday to provide shade. Underneath the awnings are several fans, along with liquids and ice.

Practice sessions have been shortened to less than two hours, with time for breaks.

“The focus of our player’s health and safety is No. 1, and our players are feeling that and understanding that,” Canada said before leading the team onto the field.

Overcome by heat and exhaustion, the 6-foot-4, 325-pound McNair collapsed during a preseason conditioning drill on May 29. He died on June 13. According to the family attorney, the preliminary death certificate listed the cause of death as heatstroke.

On Tuesday, the school accepted responsibility for mistakes made in treating McNair at the scene, and promised safety would never again be an issue.

“We will do everything within our power to ensure that no University of Maryland student-athlete is ever again put in a situation where his or her safety and life are at foreseeable risk,” university President Wallace Loh said.

Canada took visible steps in that direction.

“We have two cooling tents, water, Gatorade, snacks in the breaks, all those things,” he said.

Head coach DJ Durkin was placed on administrative leave Saturday after McNair’s death and a subsequent ESPN report revealing that coaches bullied players.

While making a point not to criticize Durkin, Canada insisted that the players are in good spirits as they work toward the Sept. 1 opener against Texas in Landover, Maryland.

“Our culture right now is awesome. Our kids are excited to practice, excited to play,” Canada said. “They’re loving each other.”

That’s not to say that McNair isn’t on their minds.

“At times, are we grieving for Jordan? We are,” Canada said.

This was the first time this summer that the media was allowed to watch practice. No players were made available.

Understanding that some parents might be wary of the program in the wake of McNair’s death, Canada and athletic director Damon Evans are looking to establish more transparency and better communication.

“We’ve got a meeting that we set up on Saturday morning,” Canada said. “We have a scrimmage. They’re going to come to that and we wanted to be available, so we’re going to talk to them.”