On a day notorious for fake news, some all-too-real news slipped in the cracks. Maryland has announced defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, hired on Dec. 9, has stepped down for personal reasons.
“I want to thank DJ Durkin for the opportunity to be on his staff, but at this time I feel it’s best to step aside to tend to personal matters,” Shafer said in a statement. “I’m sincerely appreciative of his support and friendship.”
“I, along with the entire Maryland football family, will continue to support Scott in every way that we can,” said Durkin.
Shafer had been Syracuse’s head coach from 2013 until his firing at the close of last season. He was 14-23 with the Orange. Prior to that, Shafer served as defensive coordinator at Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Stanford, Michigan and Syracuse, and as a college football coach since 1991.
It is not immediately clear where Maryland turns to replace Shafer, but with this move coming so late in the game the smart money may be on Durkin serving as his own coordinator while backfilling Shafer’s spot on the staff.
