Evans named Maryland athletic director

Damon Evans, who had been serving as the University of Maryland's acting athletic director, was named the school's new athletic director on Monday. "Throughout his tenure here, Damon has demonstrated visionary, transparent, compassionate and ethical leadership," said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh said in a statement released by the school. "The candidates invited for interviews had impressive credentials and accomplishments. In the end, a senior leadership search is not only about capabilities. It is also about institutional fit and interpersonal trust and chemistry. In Damon, the University of Maryland has the right person at the right time." Evans replaces Kevin Anderson, who resigned as Maryland's athletic director after a six-month sabbatical. Evans had been serving as Maryland's acting athletic director since October. Evans will officially begin as athletic director on July 2. An external investigation into the death of 19-year-old Maryland football player Jordan McNair has already begun and could take up to 90 days, according to the school. Evans earlier had been Maryland's chief financial officer. He came to Maryland after being dismissed as Georgia's athletic director in July 2010. He was charged with a DUI in Atlanta, and arrested, along with a 28-year-old female passenger, according to the police report. Football head coach D.J. Durkin is entering his third season with the Terps. After going 6-7 in his first season, Maryland went 4-8 in 2017. Durkin has a five-year deal that has already been extended to six years based on the terms of the contract.