Cassius Clay is a happy young man in his dressing room after knocking out Archie Moore in the exact round he predicted he would, the fourth, at Los Angeles, Nov. 17, 1962. (AP Photo) FILE- In this Nov. 10, 1963 file photo, the Detroit Red Wings' Gordie Howe (9) acknowledges applause from the fans during a 20-minute standing ovation after he scored the 545th cgoal of his National Hockey League career at Detroit's Olympia Stadium, to set the leagues' to set the all-time scoring mark. The NHL has the best names in the business. Nicknames, that is. Little Ball of Hate. The Great One. Tazer. Bicksy. How is known as the "Mr. Hockey." (AP Photo/File) 10 Dec 1994: COLORADO RUNNING BACK RASHAAN SALAAM WITH THE HEISMAN TROPHY AFTER BEING NAMED AS THE 60TH WINNER OF THE AWARD AT THE DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB IN NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK. Frank Deford, editor and publisher of The National Sports Daily, holds a proof of the final front page of the newspaper after a news conference at the paper's offices in New York City on Wednesday, June 12, 1991. He announced that the publication would fold with Thursday's issue. FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots practices before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on September 16, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Starter Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 17, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) (CNN) — The University of Maryland has placed head football coach D.J. Durkin and members of the athletics staff on administrative leave during an investigation of the death by heatstroke of a football player. Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun/TNS/Getty Images Jordan McNair of McDonogh High School in September 2016. Jordan McNair, 19, died June 13, two weeks after participating in a workout at Maryland’s outdoor practice fields, CNN affiliate WJZ-TV reported. The university commissioned an external review and, “pending the final outcome,” has placed some of the staff on leave, said Jessica L. Jennings, director of communications, in a statement. “We will be able to speak in greater detail when the review is complete and shared with the public,” Jennings wrote. “Our thoughts remain with Jordan McNair’s family, friends and teammates.” Durkin’s status was announced Saturday by Maryland Director of Athletics Damon Evans. Maryland offensive coordinator Matt Canada will act as interim head coach, Evans said. ESPN recently published a report describing what it called a “toxic culture at Maryland football.” “I am extremely concerned by the allegations of unacceptable behaviors by members of our football staff detailed in recent media reports,” Evans said in his statement. “We are committed to fully investigating the program. “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes is our highest priority. These alleged behaviors are not consistent with the values I expect all of our staff to adhere to and we must do better. The Bleacher Report wrote that McNair appeared in one game last season as a true freshman but ended up redshirting, hoping for a starting spot this year. “Jordan was a tremendous athlete, student, teammate and friend, and he will be sorely missed,” Executive Athletic Director Damon Evans said in June. CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to this report.<doc-sep>SLIDE 1 of 5 Is a resolution in sight? There are several layers to Maryland's situation and none of them have been resolved, most notably the fate of head coach DJ Durkin. Durkin's been on administrative lead for nearly three weeks without indication of where he stands, when a decision might be be made and what the exact criteria will be for the decision. Members of the investigative panel have been interviewing players and coaches since last week, not only about the day McNair fell ill, but also those allegations of a toxic culture -- and, sources said, former Maryland receiver DeAndre Lane's comments to InsideMDSports alleging head football trainer Wes Robinson had pressured him to return quickly from a concussion. Strength and conditioning coach Rick Court resigned, albeit in change for a hefty settlement, and but that's the only permanent change that's been made. (What's the next big story at Maryland? Before you finish reading, take five seconds NOW to sign up for our FREE Terps newsletter. We'll deliver the latest big news to you!) While Maryland's been investigating, Durkin's been hunkering down and lawyering up. Since the day ESPN's reported set this story ablaze, he hasn't said a single word publicly. Multiple sources have said he doesn't intend to walk away quietly if the school attempts to fire him for cause, both because it would further damage his reputation and cost him money. Is the committee gathering evidence to support such a move, or will the two sides part ways amicably? Finding anyone to confirm the "toxic" picture ESPN painted is no easy task; Durkin is universally liked, and no players or coaching colleagues have publicly supported that accusation. And how far into the season will a decision be made? The smart money says not very far, as it will only become increasingly awkward and distracting for him to remain the head coach in name while the team plays games without him.<doc-sep>The new appointees will join three others who were previously selected by Loh: retired U.S. District Court judges Ben Legg and Alex Williams, and Charlie Scheeler, a former federal prosecutor. The board said that additional appointments or advisers could be named later and that the group has “been directed to follow the evidence wherever it may lead. In the meantime, we will continue to withhold all judgments and refrain from any speculation.”<doc-sep>
The investigation into whether a toxic culture exists at Maryland has kept most people associated with the program muted, until now. WASHINGTON — Ever since he was placed on leave pending an investigation into the football program, Maryland coach DJ Durkin hasn’t said a peep in public. Likewise, while some players and parents have been supportive of Durkin, the investigation into whether a toxic culture exists at Maryland has kept most people associated with the program muted — until now. In a letter obtained by WTOP, several high-level financial backers of the program and current and former presidents of the Terrapin Club have given the University System Board of Regents a full-throated endorsement of Durkin unlike anything publicly expressed so far. The signees describe themselves as witnesses to numerous practices, workouts and other team-related events, and say they never saw any evidence of an atmosphere that could be described as toxic, and add that if there were, they wouldn’t have donated the money they have. They go on to say that the Durkin they know is an “excellent father, husband, and coach” and that the school would “never find a coach who is better for this school and for his players” than Durkin. They also criticize the media, taking a dig at ESPN reporter Heather Dinich without using her name, saying she and other reporters covering the story don’t care about the truth. They close by urging the board to retain Durkin as the football coach. Durkin has been on indefinite leave pending the outcome of an investigation now under control by the Board of Regents. The hiring and firing of athletic coaches normally isn’t something the board intervenes in. Copyright © 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.