Maryland’s head athletics spokesman has left to take a position at George Mason as the Terrapins' football program faces allegations of mishandling treatment of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died of heatstroke two weeks after collapsing in a May 29 team workout.
According to a report from The Diamondback, the school’s independent school newspaper, Zack Bolno vacated his position atop the Maryland athletics communications staff on Monday following six years with the university. Bolno will reportedly oversee marketing, promotions and branding at George Mason, in addition to the public and media relations. According to The Diamondback, he said he received the offer from George Mason earlier this summer.
Bolno told Sporting News he took the job at George Mason because it was a promotion and a way to be closer to family, saying the decision was not related to the ongoing investigations. The school did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Maryland football is currently under investigation for its medical response to McNair, who died of heatstroke after running 110-yard sprints. The school admitted “legal and moral” responsibility for the incident and placed head coach DJ Durkin on administrative leave.
"The emergency response plan was not appropriately followed," athletic director Damon Evans said during an Aug. 14 news conference. "The care we provided was not consistent with best practices. … The heat illness was not promptly identified or treated."
An ESPN report last month alleged Durkin fostered a toxic culture within his program, which included verbal abuse and humiliation. Maryland strength and conditioning coach Rick Court, implicated in ESPN's report as being the enforcer of Durkin's culture, resigned soon after that story was published.
Last week, The Diamondback and The Washington Post reported that former Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson intervened in a sexual misconduct case involving two former football players. In 2017, Anderson reportedly authorized the use of $15,000 in university funds in attempt to secure attorneys for the players. Anderson began a six-month sabbatical last fall before resigning in April.