ESPN's Scott Van Pelt: The decision in Maryland was completely sloppy; the school needs a total reset

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt held his toughest remarks ever before in the University of Maryland after the football crisis and school leadership. He said Thursday in his "SportsCenter" program that the school "has demonstrated the remarkably consistent ability to do bad things at every stage," which its leaders have deployed "the most muted crisis management imaginable possible," and that the school now requires "a complete cultural reset".

Van Pelt asked how school president, Wallace D. Loh, and sports director, Damon Evans, could remain in office, and called on the school to get in touch with people who They are interested in attending university and help him recover from the troubles this fall, such as former men's basketball coach Gary Williams.

"Wallace Loh admitted that the university had failed Jordan McNair, a tragedy that can not be canceled, but the management and board of directors also failed at the University of Maryland – we all, throughout this process, often for the sake of self-preservation, "said Van Pelt. a lot, and the recovery process must begin immediately. The commissions and the current studies are just nonsense, and it is this kind of political paralysis that keeps us in the foreground and how a tragic situation that began at the end of May still lasts in November. This place is very important to many people and I can not tell you how many generations have come close to me, embarrassed and heartbroken by this whole chapter. "

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The school was besieged by local and national critics after the University of Maryland Board of Governors recommended keeping football coach DJ Durkin and Evans despite the scandal that erupted after McNair's death. offensive line 19 years old. Loh sent Durkin back Wednesday. James T. Brady, chairman of the system's board of directors, resigned Thursday after a rally of protests by students, alumni, members of the media and politicians.

Van Pelt, one of the alumni most closely associated with the school's sports program, largely avoided calls to action during months of debate about Maryland's future. But his comments Thursday night questioned the viability of Loh and Evans as the face of sports in Maryland.

"For months, out of respect for the University of Maryland, which has been part of my life all my life, and a process going on, I chose my words very carefully when I said anything," did he declare. I said. "This time is up, because I hoped they would succeed. But that did not work. At each stage of the process, since Jordan McNair became ill following the awkward decision of the Council of Regents, Maryland has demonstrated remarkably consistent ability to do what is wrong at every step. The crisis management the most dull tone imaginable. As a leader, or lack thereof, it is difficult to understand how it could be ruined more completely. The scene that took place in the last 72 hours following the decision of the Council of Regents to reinstate DJ Durkin, followed by the referral the next day by President Wallace Loh, was simply the following embarrassing chapter in a seemingly endless story. "

[Maryland Board of Regents chair resigns in leadership fight tied to football scandal]

"Commissions and investigations were organized, during which many people from the university that I liked took turns on the bus," said Van Pelt. "The details have been continuously leaked to the press, illustrating the complete systemic collapse of leadership and trust. It seems that everyone has gone into hide-and-seek mode and is the worst type of crab-in-a-Bucket behavior imaginable. Durkin is out; Thursday, James Brady, who was chairman of the board of regents, resigned, saying his presence would be a distraction. The question was asked: How can Wallace Loh and Athletic Director Damon Evans stay? "

Loh had announced on Tuesday that he would retire at the end of the school year, when the board would have sided with the football coach alongside the president 's. 39; university. The turmoil continued; The chairman of the board of directors of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation said Thursday that the university's fundraising campaign had dealt a fatal blow, students staged a rally on the Campus and the Higher Education Commission of the Middle States has launched a U-Md accreditation exam.

Van Pelt said that the school must turn to leaders whose loyalty is to the school more than themselves.

"There are those who can help on many fronts," said Van Pelt. "People like Gary Williams. He wore the uniform. He graduated. He is a member of the Hall of Famer and is passionate about his university. He would be ready to help. Just ask him. But that means that someone from Maryland should ask him, is not it? And that did not happen, however, because of the total void that currently exists at the leadership level. That's what Maryland needs now: people who love college first, not themselves. People who want to shed light on what is big on the state and school and say "Maryland, we're all behind you," and mean he. The people who can be the governess that the university needs to get them out of this mess. "

Van Pelt had questioned the decision to reinstate Durkin, saying Tuesday night: "I do not know how he is supposed to [resume coaching]. I have no idea he even wants it. "

Learn more about Maryland's coverage:

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt has "no idea" of how DJ Durkin is supposed to resume his coaching duties.

When Maryland needed a leader, an outraged community gave direction

Calls grow to keep Maryland president on the ground

Maryland president sacks football coach, DJ Durkin

A chronology of the events of the soccer crisis in Maryland