Maryland Football Dismisses Head Coach Mike Locksley After Slow Start

Maryland Football Moves On From Head Coach

The University of Maryland has dismissed eighth-year head coach mike locksley following a difficult 2-5 start to the season. The decision was announced on Wednesday in the wake of the program's 12th straight Big Ten conference defeat.

Locksley compiled a 39-54 overall record during his tenure with the Terrapins, which included a 10-21 mark dating back to the beginning of the 2024 campaign. Sources indicated he was owed a buyout of $9.75 million on a contract running through 2028 with no offset or mitigation clauses.

Struggles in Big Ten Play

The departure of locksley followed an 0-4 start to conference play and a five-game losing streak. The downward spiral continued when the team surrendered 24 unanswered second-half points in a 37-30 Homecoming defeat against Rutgers in front of a sparse home crowd. During the current five-game skid, the defense conceded 219 points, ranking low nationally in both points and yards allowed per contest.

Scrutiny surrounding the job status had persisted for over a year following consecutive 4-8 finishes in 2024 and 2025. Although athletic director Jim Smith previously offered support and brought the coach back for an eighth year with upgraded roster resources, on-field results failed to improve.

Next Steps for Maryland Football

In the wake of the coaching change, sources report that longtime assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will step in as the interim head coach. Abdul-Rahim, a Washington D.C. native with deep regional recruiting ties, was recently promoted to defensive coordinator.

The maryland football program enters a Week 8 bye before returning to action to host Illinois on October 31.

Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports, The New York Times.