Special teams have often been a big part of DJ Durkin’s portfolio.
Before he was Michigan’s defensive coordinator or hired last winter as Maryland’s head coach, a handful of Durkin’s jobs in his long football life have had to do with the game’s third phase. He has coached special teams at three schools – Bowling Green, Stanford and Florida – balancing them with a defensive coaching job at each stop.
When Durkin coached his first spring practices at Maryland back in March, special teams drew a player fervor. Durkin had an obvious enthusiasm about them.
"I believe you're a selfish player if you're not helping on special teams,” the coach said back then.