Scott Shafer is stepping down as defensive coordinator of the Maryland football team for personal reasons, the school announced on Friday afternoon.
Shafer, who was one of the first hires by Coach DJ Durkin in early December, had been helping to reshape Maryland’s defensive scheme during spring practice over the past month. Shafer had joined Maryland’s staff after spending three seasons as head coach at Syracuse, where he was fired in late November.
“I want to thank DJ Durkin for the opportunity to be on his staff, but at this time I feel it’s best to step aside to tend to personal matters,” Shafer said in a statement.