The University of Maryland is expected to hire Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin as its next head football coach, sources close to the situation told InsideMDSports. Barring any last-minute snags, Durkin, 37, will take the job previously manned by interim coach Mike Locksley, who took over the program temporarily after Randy Edsall was fired six games into Maryland's recently completed 3-9 season.

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5:30 p.m. update: Maryland has officially announced Durkin's hiring.

“I want to thank Kevin Anderson, Dr. Loh, Damon Evans and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead the University of Maryland football program,” Durkin said in a release. “Maryland’s commitment to excellence in the class room, on the field and in the community aligns with my principles of building an elite program. I look forward to bringing an exciting and successful brand of football to our passionate fan base and supporters.”

Durkin interviewed with Maryland officials at least twice, including a meeting Tuesday in Washington that solidified a search committee's decision to offer him the job. He decided to accept after discussing it with family Wednesday, sources with knowledge of the negotiations told IMS.

In one year at Michigan, he led a Wolverines defense that ranked fourth nationally in total defense and 11th in scoring defense in his only year at the school. His defensive focus also could mean Maryland will retain offensive coordinator and ace recruiter Locksley.

In hiring Durkin, Maryland chose a candidate unknown in terms of head coaching experience -- this will be his first time leading a program -- but highly regarded young coach on an upward career path; he was Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's hand-picked defensive coordinator at Michigan after spending the five previous seasons at the University of Florida, where he was hired by Urban Meyer in 2010 and named national recruiter of the year by Rivals.com in 2012. He previously worked for Meyer at Bowling Green, his alma mater, and at Stanford under Harbaugh, and was rumored to be under consideration for Georgia's vacancy.

“We began this search looking for a candidate with qualities that aligned with our vision for the football program, and throughout the process it became clear D.J. was the perfect fit. He has had success at some of the nation’s most preeminent football programs, is recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country and is widely respected as one the top young coaches across the college football landscape," Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson said in the release.

Anderson also seriously considered Locksley, Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost and San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich; preliminary communications with Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen ended abruptly according to sources, and Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien -- seemingly the top choice of Under Armour founder and Maryland benefactor Kevin Plank -- wasn't going to be available until early January if at all. Maryland also made a short-lived run at Mark Richt, recently fired by Georgia.

Durkin inherits a Maryland program that has struggled since Anderson fired Ralph Friedgen after the 2010 season and replaced him with Edsall. The Terps have gone 23-39 in that span -- 11-29 in conference play, including 1-7 this fall in their second season as Big Ten members -- reaching two lesser bowl games and losing both. But there's potential to turn around the program's fortunes; Maryland has plans to build a $155 million-dollar indoor facility and significantly increased revenues since departing the Atlantic Coast Conference for the Big Ten, along with Plank's financial and brand backing.

Durkin, a native of football-crazed Youngstown, Ohio, is familiar with both Big Ten and East Coast recruiting terrain. He landed the nation's No. 3 player, D.J. Humphries, while at Florida, and has also gotten commitments from four-star prospects from North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania during his career.

No terms of Durkin's agreement were available immediately. He'll certainly receive a significant pay raise from the $800,000 he was making at Michigan, and possibly more than the $2.1 million Maryland was paying Edsall. His ascension toward the top of Maryland's wishlist was first reported Sunday by 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong.