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Even though the football program at the University of Maryland, College Park, was plagued with abuse by the staff -- including one coach who would use foul language and throw around weights and a trash can full of vomit -- its culture was not “toxic,” according to 200-page report on the state’s flagship program leaked to The Baltimore Sun.
The Sun obtained the report on the football program written by an eight-person commission established by the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents. The program was first scrutinized after the June death of player Jordan McNair, 19, who was improperly treated for heatstroke.
The regents previously released a report on McNair’s death, which College Park president Wallace Loh already publicly took full “legal and moral” responsibility for.
This second report, which had not been made public as of Thursday evening, details abusive conduct by strength and conditioning coach Rick Court, who left the university in August after explosive media reports on the football team. Head coach DJ Durkin remains on leave, as do other staffers.
Players interviewed for the report said that Court would attempt to humiliate players by tossing food, weights and, on one occasion, the trash can. Though some players described Court as “motivational,” the commission determined he was inappropriate.
Court, who also frequently used profanity, and called people “fat,” was never given a performance review, according to the Sun. Nor was it clear whom he reported to -- Durkin said he was not charged with supervising him, though Durkin initially hired Court.
Commission members did not find the culture “toxic,” which means it would have to be “extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful,” according to the Sun.
The institution received a copy of the report and is reviewing it, the Sun reported.
Another article in the Sun reported that eight Maryland legislators have sent a letter to the Maryland board urging it to retain Loh in office.
