Former Maryland football players Shane Cockerille and Perry Hills said they were surprised by ESPN's report Aug. 10 about the program's culture under head coach DJ Durkin, who was placed on administrative leave Aug. 11.
"Having played under Coach Durkin, I don't think it's really fair to him because of how passionate and how genuine he is of a guy and how much he actually cares about the team," Hills said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 13. Hills played quarterback for Durkin in 2016.
ESPN reported Durkin created a "toxic culture" within the program through a "coaching environment of fear and intimidation." ESPN also reported Aug. 10 that sophomore offensive lineman Jordan McNair "showed signs of extreme exhaustion" during his final workout May 29.
