After just one regular season back in Ann Arbor, it appears Jim Harbaugh will be forced to replace a key piece of his Michigan coaching staff.
Following up on speculation that’s grown over the past several days, multiple media outlets HERE, HERE and HERE are reporting that Maryland will hire UM defensive coordinator as its new head football coach. Durkin would replace Randy Edsall, who was fired in October after four-plus underwhelming seasons guiding the Terrapins.
Durkin is in the midst of his first season as Wolverines coordinator and linebackers coach. UM is fourth in the Big Ten and 11th nationally in giving up 17.2 points per game.
Prior to that he was the coordinator at Florida, also serving as the Gators’ interim head coach following Will Muschamp‘s dismissal at the end of the 2014 regular season. Durkin helped guide the Gators to a Birmingham Bowl win before moving on to the Wolverines.
If the reports come to fruition, this would be the 37-year-old Durkin’s first full-time head-coaching opportunity. It’s unknown if interim head coach Mike Locksley, who also interviewed for the position, will remain on Durkin’s staff as offensive coordinator.