The University of Maryland on Tuesday revealed some of its preliminary findings from an investigation into the death of a 19-year-old football player, and the school took responsibility for mistakes that were made that led to the tragedy. While it’s unclear what strength coach Rick Court’s role was in the incident, he has decided to resign.
In a statement he released on Twitter, Court said he has resigned to allow Maryland to “heal and move forward,” noting that his top priority has always been the physical and mental health of student-athletes.
As many of you know, I resigned yesterday as the head strength coach 4 @TerpsFootball. I wanted 2 thank Coach Durkin & all of my colleagues & players for their support, love & commitment. I am blessed for the relationships I have built and wish nothing but success for our team. pic.twitter.com/llT2HABKUC
— Coach Court‼️ (@courtstrength) August 14, 2018
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reports that Court reached a buyout agreement with Maryland.
Source: Rick Court's settlement with Maryland is a lump sum of $315,000, which is two thirds of what he was due for the remainder of his contract. There's no mitigation going forward. There's also a mutual release of all claims by the school and Court.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 14, 2018
Jordan McNair, a 19-year-old offensive lineman, died following a May 29 workout. An attorney for the McNair family who is investigating Jordan’s death says that medical records and a 911 call show that McNair had a seizure around 5:00 pm that day, about 45 minutes into a workout involving a set of 10 110-yard sprints. Despite the alleged seizure, a 911 call was not made until nearly an hour later. McNair was said to have had a temperature of 106 at the hospital.
Maryland president Wallace Loh said Tuesday that the school is accepting legal and moral responsibility for the mistakes it made that led to McNair’s death. Head coach D.J. Durkin remains under investigation, as McNair’s death has been placed into a larger context of allegations claiming Durkin oversees a “toxic culture” at Maryland.
