D.J. Durkin - Football Coach - Ole Miss Athletics

Arkansas

Sep 13 (Sat)

6:00 PM

D.J. Durkin

Title:
Assistant Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Year at Ole Miss:
Second
E-mail:
rebelfootball@olemiss.edu
Phone:
662-915-7890
Alma Mater:
Bowling Green (2001)

D.J. Durkin is beginning his second season as Ole Miss’ co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Durkin has brought a wealth of experience to Oxford, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where the Youngstown, Ohio, native helped spearhead successful units at Michigan and Florida, among other stops. He joined the Rebels after spending the year as a consultant for the Atlanta Falcons.

Besides his experience on the field, Durkin has been equally accomplished on the recruiting trail. Durkin, Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year in 2012, has helped ink eight top-25 classes, including five which ranked in the top 10. During his time with the Gators, Durkin helped land four straight top-11 recruiting classes and nine five-star prospects.

Durkin served as head coach at Maryland for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He doubled the Terrapins’ win total during his first season at the helm and excelled on the recruiting trail, bringing in consecutive top-30 signing classes for the first time in program history during his two seasons in College Park.

Durkin continued his success in developing professional players during his time at Maryland as a pair of Terps were chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft. Wide receiver DJ Moore, the 2017 Big Ten Receiver of the Year, was taken in the first round by the Carolina Panthers. Moore was the first wide receiver selected in the draft after leading the conference with a single-season Maryland record 80 receptions. Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. was also taken by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.

During his first season in College Park, Durkin led the Terps to a 4-0 start, including five wins in their first seven games. After falling in three straight games to nationally-ranked teams, Maryland defeated Rutgers, 31-13, in its season finale to earn a berth in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Prior to Maryland, Durkin served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Michigan, leading a nationally-renowned defensive unit that ranked fourth in the country. Under Durkin, the Wolverines limited opponents to 17.2 points per game in 2015, in addition to shutting out three consecutive opponents – the longest such streak at Michigan in 35 years.

Durkin’s immediate impact in Ann Arbor was also displayed in player development. Michigan had nine defensive All-Big Ten honorees, including a pair of first-team defensive backs: Jourdan Lewis and Jabrill Peppers. In addition, three Wolverines (Ryan Glasgow, Lewis and Peppers,) were named semifinalists for national defensive awards in 2015.

As the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2013-14, Durkin led the Gators to consecutive top-15 rankings in total defense with the 15th-best mark in the country in 2014 (329.0 ypg) and the eighth-best (314.2 ypg) in 2013.

Florida’s 2014 team finished the year ranked in the top 10 in the nation in yards allowed per play (4.45), yards allowed per rush attempt (3.16) and yards allowed per pass attempt (5.9).

The group was highlighted by All-SEC first team selections Dante Fowler Jr., and defensive back Vernon Hargreaves, along with second team all-conference honoree Antonio Morrison. Fowler was subsequently selected third overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His selection continued a stretch in which Gator defensive players were selected in the first round of three consecutive drafts.

In Durkin’s first season as defensive coordinator, Florida finished first in the SEC and seventh in the country in pass defense (171.8 yards per game). The Gators were sixth nationally in first downs allowed (16.1 per game) and 15th in scoring defense (21.1 points per game), while allowing only 27 touchdowns, the sixth fewest in the nation in 2013.

Durkin’s coaching paid dividends at the next level when defensive tackle Dominique Easley was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

From 2010-2012, Durkin served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida and coached under current Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Durkin’s coaching on special teams helped produce punter Chas Henry, the winner of the Ray Guy Award in 2011, and kicker Caleb Sturgis, a two-time finalist for the Lou Groza Award.

Prior to Florida, Durkin spent three seasons at Stanford coaching defensive ends and special teams. Under Durkin’s tutelage, Stanford’s defensive ends helped the Cardinal rank 11th nationally in sacks per game in 2007 and 2009. Durkin also helped the Cardinal bring in their highest ranked recruiting class in eight years in 2009.

As a player, Durkin starred at Bowling Green as a starter at defensive end and outside linebacker from 1997-2000. He led the team in sacks in 1998 and served as a team captain for two seasons.

Durkin was honored with numerous team awards, including the Ken Schoeni Award for character and toughness.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Bowling Green in 2001 and his master’s degree in educational administration and supervision in 2004.

Durkin and his wife Sarah have one daughter, Abigail, and one son, Luke.

COACHING CAREER
Year(s)	School	Position
2020-Pres.	Ole Miss	Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2019	Atlanta Falcons	Consultant
2016-17	Maryland	Head Coach
2015	Michigan	Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2013-14	Florida	Defensive Coordinator
2010-12	Florida	Special Teams/Linebackers
2007-09	Stanford	Defensive Ends/Special Teams
2006	Bowling Green	Linebackers/Special Teams
2005	Bowling Green	Defensive Ends
2003-04	Notre Dame	Graduate Assistant
2001-02	Bowling Green	Graduate Assistant