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Alabama coach Nick Saban confirmed Friday night that former Maryland coach DJ Durkin has been at the Crimson Tide's football complex this week meeting with defensive staff members and watching tape, something Saban has done routinely over the years with former head coaches. In a statement released by the university, Saban said: "DJ Durkin is spending a few days with our staff in Tuscaloosa from a professional development standpoint. He has not been hired in any capacity at the University of Alabama. He is simply observing our operation as many other coaches have done through the years." Sources told ESPN that Durkin will not accompany Alabama to the Capital One Orange Bowl for its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Oklahoma on Dec. 29. Durkin was fired by Maryland's president in October after initially being retained following two separate investigations into the death of former player Jordan McNair during offseason workouts last spring. A number of former coaches have spent time with Alabama's staff in past years after being fired, including Hugh Freeze, Chip Kelly, Lane Kiffin, Butch Jones and Steve Sarkisian. Jones, Kiffin and Sarkisian all joined Alabama's staff in different roles later, while Freeze, Kelly and Kiffin have all gone on to be head coaches elsewhere in college football. Sources told ESPN that Durkin also has met with multiple NFL teams since his firing to watch tape and offer input.
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