The Maryland Terrapins finally filled their head coaching position by hiring former Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Terms of the deal are not available at this time. The move is a very quality one for Maryland as Durkin was recommended to be part of Jim Harbaugh's staff in Michigan and Urban Meyer when Meyer was the head coach of the Florida Gators. Even Wolverines fans are not very happy about his departure. 

Durkin is a great defensive mind who led the Wolverines on defense in his first year as a defensive coordinator this season. The Wolverines defense ranks fourth in the country in total yards allowed (3,376) and also rank 11th in the country in points allowed per game (17.2 points). His presence will help fix a Maryland defense that allowed 34.4 points a game which ranks 103rd in the country. Defense isn't going be exciting, but it helps win games which is the objective for the Terps as they reside in the Big Ten East, which is one of the best divisions in the country consisting of the Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans. All three teams rank in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings.

Maryland isn't content with being the bottom feeder in the Big Ten in college football and they get better today by taking a great coach from a division rival. Durkin is also a great recruiter as he was named Rivals 2012 Recruiter of the Year. The state of Maryland has a lot of talent in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. metro area, and over the last couple of years Maryland's football program has made it a point to keep their home grown talent exactly where they are. 

Durkin will take over the head coaching position which was held by Randy Edsall from 2011-2015, who had a 22-34 record during his time. Edsall was fired in the middle of October this season and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley took over as interim head coach. It remains to be seen if Durkin would like to retain Locksley as the offensive coordinator.

It was important for Maryland to move quickly in the head coaching search as they are hosting recruits on December 4th. They needed to make a good impression and with Durkin as the head coach, they certainly achieved that goal.

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