Attorney Says DJ Durkin, Not AD, Hired Him for Players' 2017 Sexual Assault Case

Attorney Donald Maurice Jackson refuted a statement made by the University of Maryland on Friday by saying head football coach DJ Durkin—not former athletic director Kevin Anderson—hired him to represent two former Maryland football players accused of sexual assault in 2017. 

According to Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun, Jackson said he spoke with Durkin before officially representing the players and had "very minimal contact" with Anderson.

His comments came after a University of Maryland spokesperson said Thursday that Anderson showed "poor judgment" in using athletic department funds to hire a lawyer to represent the players since the sexual assault allegations were made by a female student at the school.

Jackson said Anderson contacted him two weeks after he took over the case and had already been paid $15,000.

Jackson also provided Markus with a copy of the email from Anderson:

"I appreciate your efforts and assistance regarding ... our student athletes from the University of Maryland. Per our conversation, the athletic department will compensate you for all billable hours provided up to this point in time, however moving forward, the athletic department will not pay for any services pertaining to [the athletes]. Thank you for your understanding and assistance throughout the process."

Despite Anderson telling him he wouldn't be further compensated for the case, Jackson continued to represent the players.

Anderson resigned from his post in April, and he is currently the athletic director at Cal State Northridge.

Durkin is currently on administrative leave on the heels of an ESPN report detailing the "toxic" culture within Maryland's football program.

In the report, several current and former Maryland players and staff members said Durkin and former strength and conditioning coach Rick Court created a culture based on "fear and intimidation," and often verbally abused players.

Durkin is also under investigation to determine whether the collapse of offensive lineman Jordan McNair during a team workout in May was handled correctly. McNair died two weeks later.

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is serving as Maryland's interim head coach during Durkin's absence.