WASHINGTON, D.C. — With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we share the news of the passing of Tim Strachan, beloved husband, father, friend, and voice of Maryland football, who died late this afternoon at the age of 49 after a courageous battle with cancer.
A proud graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, Class of 1994, Tim embodied everything it meant to be a Stag—resilient, faithful, driven, and inspiring. He went on to become an integral part of the University of Maryland football family, where his story, his strength, and his passion touched thousands across generations.
Tim’s journey is one of extraordinary triumph over tragedy. After a devastating spinal cord injury during a beach accident just before his freshman year at Maryland, many would have crumbled—but not Tim. Instead, he became a beacon of resilience, eventually joining the Maryland football program as a student assistant under Coach Mark Duffner, mentoring quarterbacks and helping lead with his sharp football mind and unwavering spirit.
Beyond the field, Tim became a powerful voice—literally and figuratively. For 22 years, he sat in the broadcast booth as the color analyst for Maryland football, alongside longtime friend and colleague Johnny Holliday, who today mourns not only a partner but a brother.
“He taught me so much—especially how to stay positive and focused,” Holliday said through tears. “There are so many things I could say about Tim—his love for his family, his faith, his loyalty, his ability to inspire without ever trying to. He did more in 49 years than most of us could do in two lifetimes.”
Strachan was also a sought-after public speaker, known for his powerful messages on perseverance, purpose, and positivity. He made an impact far beyond football—within the community, in schools, in hospitals, and in the hearts of all who crossed his path.
He was deeply devoted to his wife and children, a proud father who found his greatest joy in the love and laughter of family life. Friends and colleagues remember Tim for his humility, wit, wisdom, and the kind of grace that made everyone around him want to be better.
DeMatha Catholic High School will share more on Tim’s remarkable legacy in the coming days, but tonight, we pause to honor a life that inspired so many and left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Rest in peace, Tim Strachan. You were the heart of the huddle, the voice of the Terps, and a true champion in every sense of the word
