ATS Consultants posted on February 22, 2012 11:17
In the wake of heavy scrutiny from local and national media, Maryland head football coach Randy Edsall has relented and decided to grant former quarterback Danny O'Brien a full release from the program with no transfer restrictions, according to a news statement the school issued Wednesday.
Edsall had been criticized for restricting O'Brien from transferring to Vanderbilt, where former Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin is now head coach.
O'Brien struggled under a new coach and system in 2011. As a freshman in 2010, O'Brien flourished under Franklin, and was named the ACC's rookie of the year. But in Edsall's first season as Terrapins coach, and O'Brien was eventually benched in favor of backup C.J. Brown.
Former offensive lineman Max Garcia and linebacker Mario Rowson also were granted a full release.
Some schools will restrict transfers from going to the same conference or to opponents that appear on their upcoming schedule.. But that was not the case with Vanderbilt
Reportedly, Edsall has questioned whether Franklin had improper contact with O'Brien before he was released and has filed a formal complaint with the ACC, according to The Washington Post,
O'Brien will graduate this spring and has two years of eligibility remaining.