Maryland fires grid coach a day after bringing him back

In a stunning twist, the University of Maryland has fired football coach DJ Durkin.

Durkin announced the news to his team late Wednesday, a turn of events just a day after the chairman of the board of regents defended the coach.

“This is a difficult decision, but it is the right one for our entire University,” university president

Wallace Loh said in a statement. “I will devote the remaining months of my presidency to ad- vancing the needed reforms in our Athletic Department that prioritize the safety and well-being of our student-athletes.”

In mid-June, 19-year-old offensive lineman Jordan McNair died from heatstroke following a May 29 workout and Maryland officials confirmed that members of Durkin’s staff contributed to the athlete’s death.

Durkin was put on paid administrative leave in August but the board of regents said Tuesday that he should be allowed to return to the sidelines.

On Aug. 14, three days after an explosive ESPN report detailing a “toxic culture” within Maryland’s football program, Loh and athletic director Damon

Evans publicly apologized to McNair’s parents and admitted that the training staff had “basically misdiagnosed the situation.”

Evans confirmed that McNair’s temperature was never taken after he collapsed and did not give him a cold water immersion as advised, despite his difficulty standing up and breathing.

Head trainer Wes Robinson and director of athletic training Steve Nordwall were also placed on administrative leave. Strength and conditioning coach

Rick Court left the program. On Tuesday, several Terrapins walked out of the team meeting after Durkin’s return was announced, according to multiple reports.

ROSE NETS 50

Derrick Rose scored a career-high 50 points, turning back the clock to his prime years and lifting the Timberwolves over the Jazz, 128-125, in Minneapolis.

Rose was in tears after the game as he walked off the court serenaded by chants of "MVP! MVP!" from the home crowd. The 30-year-old point guard has been derailed by injuries since he was the 2011 NBA MVP.

ASTROS DECLINE MCCANN OPTION

The Astros have declined their $15 million club option for 2019 on catcher

Brian McCann. McCann spent the last two seasons with Astros after a trade from the Yankees in November 2016. McCann made $17 million last season in the final guaranteed year of a fiveyear, $85 million contract he signed in with the Yankees.