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Alabama is getting hammered on social media for bringing in D.J. Durkin
By Andrew Olson
Published:
College football followers everywhere were surprised to see “D.J. Durkin” and “Alabama” in the same headline Thursday. The former Maryland coach, fired as the result of a Terrapins player dying this summer after a team workout, is apparently helping out in a consultant capacity. Durkin’s closest prior connection to Nick Saban is serving as an assistant under Will Muschamp (2011-14, Florida).
The move is not popular with college football fans or media members, something evident in the sampling of tweets on the subject:
RELATED: Paul Finebaum weighs in on D.J. Durkin’s reported role with Alabama
It’s very interesting that my timeline isn’t going nuts over Durkin being brought in by Saban to work as a consultant. SEC fan thought DJ was a disgrace a couple months ago.
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) December 13, 2018
This is embarrassing for Alabama and Nick Saban. There are lots of questions they’ll need to answer. https://t.co/dxMoFNUw6Z
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomonAspen) December 14, 2018
It just means more https://t.co/TbQ5qXQXSk
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) December 13, 2018
COLUMN: Alabama doesn’t need D.J. Durkin to help prepare for Oklahoma. So why is Nick Saban treating his program like a coaching halfway house? https://t.co/rFDwVE62Va via @usatoday
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 13, 2018
They don’t owe me anything. But I have a platform at a large media organization and made clear that this was something I was going to write about. So declining the opportunity to get their message on this out is a choice. https://t.co/aVFDuTuVaO
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 13, 2018
Can someone explain to me why the #NCAA imposes show-cause orders (AKA potentially illegal group boycotts) on coaches that pay their athletes, but if you play a role in causing a football player’s death like DJ Durkin, Mark Emmert & his merry posse stand by idly?
— Marc Edelman (@MarcEdelman) December 13, 2018
Jordan McNair payed the ultimate price for the culture that was created under DJ Durkin’s watch at Maryland. I believe in second chances but Durkin should have to be out of CFB for at least a year before he can take any job. #Alabama
— Will (@H20Will) December 13, 2018
DJ Durkin working at Alabama now…solid look, Tide
— Derek aka DMO (@MORTONLB53) December 13, 2018
So alabama has brought in DJ Durkin to serve as a consultant, whether or not it is full time has yet to be determined.
I would say I’m surprised someone would touch him this soon, but it’s Bama, so I’m not
— Dawgsontop (@dawgsontop2017) December 13, 2018
DJ Durkin was partially responsible for the death of one of his former players less than 6 months ago; today, Nick Saban hired him at Alabama. If the @NCAA really cared about player safety, they would have banned Durkin from coaching.
Shame on Saban.https://t.co/hQd814is2C
— blake (@blakeyagman) December 13, 2018
All the CFB media that couldn’t shut their mouths when Meyer retired are all hiding after DJ Durkin is now linked to Bama. Haven’t heard a single peep from anyone. Disgraceful and weak.
— Buckeye Justice (@Buckeye_Justice) December 13, 2018
Wait. Bama hired DJ Durkin?!? You have got to be kidding me? This is an all-time “I control everything, including ESPN and the media” move by Saban. Unbelievable that there’s absolutely no backlash from this. He and Bama are untouchable. Such a F’n joke.
— Craig Henman (@craig_henman) December 13, 2018
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
