What to Know
- An independent investigation into McNair’s death determined trainers at the scene did not follow proper procedures.
- The trainers had been on leave since August.
- The school fired football coach DJ Durkin last week.
Two University of Maryland athletic trainers who have drawn the bulk of the blame in football player Jordan McNair’s death have been fired.
Wes Robinson and Steve Nordwall, who have been on leave since August, were informed Wednesday they will not return to the university.
McNair, 19, died June 13, two weeks after collapsing during a football workout.
An independent investigation into McNair’s death led by Dr. Rod Walters, a former college athletic trainer and sports medicine consultant, determined trainers at the scene did not follow proper procedures. The investigation found an hour and 39 minutes passed between the time McNair collapsed and the departure of the ambulance from the campus.
"There was the failure to identify escalating symptoms associated with heat illness, including assessing vital signs, identifying the condition and aggressively treating the patient's elevated core temperature,'' Walters said in September. "No apparatus was used for prompt cooling of the patient. Inadequate cooling devices were used, such as cold towels, ice packs, etc.''
The school fired football coach DJ Durkin last week. Then the chairman of the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents, James Brady, resigned amid backlash the board received for having recommended Durkin be retained. University President Wallace Loh announced he will be retiring in June.
Rick Court, the head of strength and conditioning for the team when McNair collapsed, resigned Aug. 13.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is serving as interim coach for the 5-4 Terrapins.
