DJ Durkin is the new defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. Previously, he served as the linebackers coach at Ole Miss. He has 20 years of coaching experience. His success at Ole Miss comes as no surprise after being hired as a defensive assistant coach at the same school. The Aggies were looking for a new defensive coordinator. The Aggies parted ways with Mike Elko in January, and D.J. Durkin was hired to fill the void.
While at college, Durkin played defensive end and outside linebacker. He led the team in sacks and served as team captain for two seasons. In addition, he won numerous team awards. In 2001, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. In 2004, he earned his master’s degree in educational administration and supervision. After working for the Atlanta Falcons, Durkin returned to the college ranks as defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. His defenses improved to rank 51st nationally, and he helped the Bulldogs win the conference championship in 2004.
Jordan McNair was a college student at the University of Maryland. His death was the result of an illegal practice. Durkin and his training staff misdiagnosed McNair’s symptoms when he collapsed during an offseason workout. In the end, the player died of heatstroke. And he was a young black man with his entire life ahead of him. The University of Mississippi’s hiring of DJ Durkin was an example of institutional racism in college football.