Muschamp defends Durkin against 'gutless' report of toxic culture

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp spoke out in support of his former defensive coordinator and current Maryland head coach DJ Durkin after a bombshell report published Friday claimed the football program developed a toxic culture under Durkin.

Maryland is conducting an external investigation into offensive lineman Jordan McNair's death after a May workout. McNair, 19, reportedly died of heatstroke in June after being hospitalized with a body temperature of 106 degrees.

Muschamp blasted the use of anonymous sources in the report, calling those who spoke to ESPN "gutless," while describing Durkin as "an outstanding football coach."

"He worked for me for four years at the University of Florida," Muschamp said Saturday, according to Josh Kendall of The State. "He is an outstanding football coach, but he's also an outstanding husband and father and he treats people with respect.

"There is no credibility in anonymous sources. If that former staffer had any guts, why didn't he put his name on that? I think that's gutless. In any football team, especially right here in August, you can find a disgruntled player that's probably not playing. I think it's a lack of journalistic integrity to print things with anonymous sources. I know DJ Durkin personally. I know what kind of man he is. I know what kind of person he is. I don't think it's right."

Maryland has put strength coach Rick Court (who was singled out in the ESPN report), head football athletic trainer Wes Robinson, and director of athletic training Steve Nordwall on administrative leave as the investigation takes place.