Durkin served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Michigan in 2015, leading a nationally-renowned defensive unit that is ranked fourth in the country. Under Durkin, the Wolverines have limited opponents to 17.2 points per game in 2015, in addition to shutting out three consecutive opponents – the longest such streak at Michigan in 35 years.

Durkin’s immediate impact in Ann Arbor has also been displayed in player development. Michigan recently had nine defensive All-Big Ten honorees, including a pair of first team defensive backs: Jourdan Lewis and Jabril Peppers. In addition, three Wolverines (Ryan Glasgow, Lewis and Peppers,) have been named semifinalists for national defensive awards in 2015. The Wolverines improved defense has been a major reason for the program’s four-win improvement over last season and for the team ranking as high as ninth in the nation.

From 2010-12, Durkin served as special team coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida and coached under current Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Once again, Durkin was a key contributor of a staff that helped produce an NFL first round pick when defensive tackle Shariff Floyd was taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. As the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2013-14, Durkin led the Gators to consecutive top-15 rankings in total defense with the 15th-best mark in the country in 2014 (329.0 ypg) and the eighth-best (314.2 ypg) in 2013.

Florida’s 2014 team finished the year ranked in the top-10 in the nation in yards allowed per play (4.45), yards allowed per rush attempt (3.16) and yards allowed per pass attempt (5.9). The group was highlighted by All-SEC first team selections Dante Fowler Jr., and defensive back Vernon Hargreaves. Fowler was subsequently selected third overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His selection continued a stretch in which Gator defensive players were selected in the first round of three consecutive drafts.