Former Maryland coach DJ Durkin has been at the Alabama football complex this week, meeting with defensive staff members and watching tape -- something Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has done routinely over the years with former head coaches -- sources confirmed to ESPN.
Durkin was fired at Maryland in October by the university president after initially being retained following two separate investigations into the death of one of Durkin's players, Jordan McNair, last spring during offseason workouts.
A number of former head coaches have spent time with Alabama's staff over the years after being fired, including Hugh Freeze, Chip Kelly, Lane Kiffin, Butch Jones, Steve Sarkisian and Rich Rodriguez.