Nick Saban: D.J. Durkin not a member of Alabama's staff
Nick Saban said Friday that former Maryland coach D.J. Durkin had not been hired by the school in any capacity.
Saban’s statement comes after a report that Durkin was working in a “consultant-like capacity” with the Crimson Tide as Alabama prepares for the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma on Dec. 29.
“DJ Durkin is spending a few days with our staff in Tuscaloosa from a professional development standpoint,” Saban’s statement said. “He has not been hired in any capacity at The University of Alabama. He is simply observing our operation as many other coaches have done through the years.”
Durkin was fired after he was reinstated as Maryland’s coach in October following an investigation into the program’s culture. He was put on administrative leave in August after a report said that intimidation and belittling was common under Durkin’s regime.
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The report came months after offensive lineman Jordan McNair died after a conditioning workout in the spring. Maryland has accepted responsibility for McNair’s death and admitted that mistakes were made caring for McNair in the moments after the conditioning drills.
He was replaced by offensive coordinator Matt Canada who coached the balance of the season. Maryland has hired Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley as the team’s new head coach.
Saban has been known to bring in out-of-work coaches to Alabama’s facilities. Current UCLA coach Chip Kelly visited Alabama in the lead up to the national title game against Clemson after he was fired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. Saban said at the time that Kelly’s visit did not have any significance on Alabama’s prep for the game against the Tigers.
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
