Dec 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach D. J. Durkin reacts to a call in the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Ford Field. Boston College won 36-30. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Auburn Tigers have fired a head coach with a reputation marred by scandal. Please welcome their interim leader, a head coach with a reputation marred by scandal.

Auburn fired Hugh Freeze Sunday, one day after managing only three points in a home loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. Freeze went 15-19 in nearly three seasons in Alabama, managing only six Southeastern Conference wins in the process. The Tigers will pay out more than $15 million to be rid of him.

That left Auburn in need of a new coach with three games remaining on the 2025 schedule and two wins necessary to qualify for a bowl this winter. That led to the promotion of a man who led the Maryland Terrapins for more than two seasons before being fired in 2018. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will be the Tigers' interim head coach, marking the first time he'll stand atop a program's organizational chart since the death of Terrapins offensive lineman Jordan McNair.

Why is D.J. Durkin's promotion controversial?

Durkin led Maryland to a bowl game in his debut 2016 season and a 4-8 record in year two. He was fired without coaching a single game in year three following the practice-related death of McNair.

McNair died after suffering from heat stroke in a late May practice in 2018. Soon after, a damning ESPN report detailed a culture of abuse and intimidation. A follow-up from the Washington Post further delved into a dysfunction program and atmosphere that led to a player's death.

"There was just constant degrading of players,” one former player told The Post on Friday evening, “and that was the culture they brought to the program, and they thought it would toughen us up.”

Durkin was suspended by the university before being reinstated that October. His return led to outrage and protests from the student body and he was fired one day later. He slowly built himself back up the coaching ranks in the years since, rising to defensive coordinator at Auburn. Now he'll get the chance to paint over a past that saw one of his players die under his watch.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Who is D.J. Durkin, Auburn's interim head coach?

Reporting by Christian D'Andrea, For The Win / For The Win

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