As suspended Maryland head coach DJ Durkin’s job status remains unclear, a group of team parents is worried about his potential reinstatement and what it could mean for their sons.



At least a half-dozen parents of Maryland football players have banded together to speak out against Durkin in recent weeks, including more attempts to speak to the commission that is investigating reports of a toxic culture under Durkin’s watch and in a recent parents’ meeting with athletic director Damon Evans.



Three of those parents spoke with The Athletic on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution for their sons, who are all major contributors on this year’s team. They said their sons told them that until the collapse and subsequent death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair on June 13, none of them informed their parents about player abuse in the program because they weren’t sure their parents would believe them and they didn’t want their...