The Maryland football team is losing a key member of its coaching staff.
According to a press release, defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is stepping down. The release sites personal reasons as the explanation for Shafer’s sudden departure.
Coach D.J. Durkin brought onto his staff back on Dec. 9.
“I want to thank DJ Durkin for the opportunity to be on his staff, but at this time I feel it’s best to step aside to tend to personal matters,” Shafer said. “I’m sincerely appreciative of his support and friendship.”
Prior to coming to Maryland, Shafer had been the head coach at Syracuse for the past three seasons. During that time, he accumulated a 14-23 record.
He led the Orange to a win in the Texas Bowl over Minnesota in 2013. Syracuse was 7-6 that season under the watch of Shafer.
After the departure of Randy Edsall, Durkin brought in his new staff and Shafer was expected to help improve a Maryland defense that struggled at times during the 2015 season.
The loss of Shafer certainly isn’t something that is a positive, but it’s not the end of the world for the Terrapins.
After all, Durkin is a former defensive coordinator himself, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he ran the defense himself. In 2015, Durkin’s Michigan defense finished fourth in the entire nation in total defense as the Wolverines allowed just 280.7 yards-per-game and 4.46 yards-per-play.
Durkin also has defensive line coach Mike London and special teams coach Pete Lembo to lean on for assistance.
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It’s unclear what path Durkin will take in filling the void left by Shafer, but there certainly are options.