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Jordan McNair's father, Marty, stood in front of the Gossett Football Team House on Maryland's campus answering questions about the university's decision to fire head coach DJ Durkin.
McNair stood only a few feet from the head of the dogs in the No. 79 to honor his son, who died of a heatstroke on June 13.
The lights, which have been set up after Jordan's death and have long since burned out, have been played out by Tony and Wilson, Tonya Wilson, have been through emotionally. Finding out that Durkin initially would be retained on Tuesday, McNair said he felt it was punched in the stomach and the Maryland System Board of Regents spat in his face.
Now, finding out that Durkin had been fired Wednesday by University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh, McNair felt it was the first step in moving forward.
"This is happening so fast, I just felt a level of gratitude that Dr. Loh took it upon himself to do the right thing, in the face of what he was dealing with, the pressure he was dealing with," McNair said. "It's a step in the right direction to make it happen, I'm confident and comfortable with Dr. Loh making the decision and he stands behind his decision. "
Billy Murphy, Billy Murphy, has not reached a financial settlement of the university for the mishandling of their sound in a workout.
Murphy said the family is still ready and ready for litigation, but they hope that the matter is settled promptly. Jim Brady for the board's initial recommendation to retain Durkin as head coach.
Murphy commended his decision to stand up to the board against their recommendation. U.S. Senators, congressmen and the Maryland governor spoke out against the recommendation and it was handled.
"The next step, I think, is for the board to get rid of Jim Brady as their chairman," Murphy said. "The governor appoints the chair and the governor can dismiss the chair. [Brady] has always been an impediment for justice for this person and it should be removed as soon as possible. "
That mounting political pressure has fallen on the back of the body. Student body president Jonathan Allen puts it on with Durkin.
"I expressed to him, I urge him, that he must fire Coach Durkin regardless of any repercussion," Allen said. I was not sure if Coach Durkin was reinstated and stayed in the coach. , that would be doing so. "
The student body government had planned to introduce a legislature urging Durbuy in a meeting on campus at 6 p.m. While the students were debating the legislature, the decision to fire Durkin came down before they filed the motion.
The football team was announced during a meeting that was called at 6:20 p.m .; the players were notified of the meeting via a text through app that sends communications. Because they have received so much, but no one on the team knew what to expect.
Athletic director Damon Evans delivered to the team and the players filed out quickly, according to offensive lineman Johnny Jordan. A source told ESPN that there was no push back when the news was announced.
Jordan was McNair's roommate and said the decision to fire and the future of the game.
"Just this whole thing has come back to me today," said Jordan said. "I relive every day of this season just in front of the limelight."
The reaction of the players was mixed, according to an anonymous player. Some were in support of the decision and some were opposed to Durkin leaving. That feeling was felt as players trickled out of the Gossett Team House, with their heads hung low, briskly walking past media members.
Others were happy with the decision, though, as one player skipped out of the building singing and laughing.
No matter the reaction, Jordan McNair's family to start the healing process.
"This program has been successful and is likely to survive and prosper," Murphy said. "It has not been possible to do so under the shadow of the decision made by the board of regents." So hopefully things can, the ship of the University of Maryland can be right, and Dr. Loh can be retained, Jim Brady can We can get justice for young Mr. McNair and his family. "
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