Turmoil at BG's Week 2 Opponent

So there's turmoil at Maryland, who BG plays at the Doyt on September 8.  DJ Durkin and the team's head trainer (Rick Court) are both on administrative leave and my guess is that Durkin won't be on the sideline when they come to BG, almost certainly from a firing if not suspension.

It's bad down there.  First, you have a dead player.  And then you have this ESPN report on the culture within the Terrapin program.   I'd read it if I were you, it's pretty chilling.  There's just a complete disregard for the safety of players.  More on that in a second.

Right now, Matt Canada is filling in as Coach.  (He once coached at NIU as OC).  So, from a competitive standpoint, Maryland might come in a little less prepared than the might have been otherwise.

There are a couple other angles to look at.  First, we all know Durkin played and coached at BG.  He was a GA for Meyer and then came back as an assistant under coach Brandon.  During the GA period, he would have crossed paths with Tim Beckman, who endured similar allegations in Illinois and is now untouchable.  He also met Rick Court at BG during the second stint at BG, based on the ESPN story.

Which brings up a rather uncomfortable truth.  All four of the people currently involved in college football scandal--Meyer, Zach Smith, Durkin and Court--all were at BG and three of them at the same time.  And then add in Beckman...

Two last things.  Note that Maryland did not take any action against Durkin and Court until ESPN exposed the toxic culture.  The player died months ago.  The administration cannot claim no responsibility for not acting sooner.  They had to know.

The other is this.  I can buy the argument that a college education is an adequate compensation for playing sports, even though the coaches are making millions.  It isn't my first choice of arguments, but I do agree that college athletes aren't being financially exploited, per se.

However, when coaches are acting with callous, reckless disregard for a player's health so those coaches can earn huge bonuses and become rich, that's something that bothers me a lot.  That is exploitation.  I understand why players aren't paid.  But they should be treated with unyielding regard for their health and safety.