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 campaign of Fred Taylor.
