Michael Locksley is out as Maryland football coach in College Park
Michael Locksley was dismissed as the Terrapins leader in College Park on Wednesday. The move ends his tenure following five consecutive losses this fall. Maryland announced on X that both sides mutually agreed to part ways.
The decision came four days after a home defeat against Rutgers. Maryland blew a 10-point halftime lead on Saturday, falling 37-30 during homecoming. That gave Rutgers its first Football Bowl Subdivision win of the year.
Locksley was seven games into his eighth season at the helm. He compiled a 38-49 overall record during this run. His teams went 16-47 in Big Ten play.
The program reached three straight bowl victories from 2021 to 2023. Maryland went 10-21 over the next two-plus seasons. The Terrapins dropped home games to Virginia Tech and UCLA, then lost on the road to Nebraska and Ohio State.
The defeat against Virginia Tech snapped a 20-game nonconference winning streak. The school hired Locksley in December 2018. Former leader DJ Durkin had been fired following the heatstroke death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair during an offseason workout.
Locksley served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator before coming to College Park. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa also transferred from the Crimson Tide. Tagovailoa posted high passing marks, leading the program to three winning campaigns.
Maryland struggled against Big Ten opponents after Tagovailoa finished his career. The team finished 1-8 in league play across back-to-back years. Locksley secured local quarterback Malik Washington from the District of Columbia area.
Washington played as a freshman last season. Maryland has an open date this week. The search for a new leader will mark the first major hiring process for athletic director Jim Smith, who took over last year.
College athletic directors direct coaching searches and manage team personnel changes. Universities often choose open dates to make staff adjustments before winter recruiting. These moves let interim directors steady daily team workouts.
The program will now search for its next head coach in College Park. The team must work to keep current players on its roster.
