Maryland has filled its vacancy on the defensive side of the ball.
Maryland is expected to hire Zac Spavital as safeties coach, a move that IBG reported was expected on Tuesday. The news comes two days after national reports surfaced that Maryland is expected to hire Josh Gattis as co-offensive coordinator, a move that IBG was first to report last week.
Zac Spavital joins the program after serving four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Texas State. Under his guidance, the Bobcats produced one of the top 25 pass defenses back in 2019 as the defense boasted five All-Sun Belt Conference players that season. Spavital also served as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Texas Tech where the Red Raiders produced a defense that finished top ten in turnovers, fumble recoveries and defensive touchdowns in 2017. Spavital also spent three seasons at Houston while Kevin Sumlin, Maryland’s new tight end coach, served as the head coach back in 2008. That gives Maryland recruiting ammo in Texas where he and Sumlin can team up as the staff expands the brand following consecutive winning seasons and bowl wins.
Maryland has yet to announce the hire of Gattis and Spavital, though both are already in College Park. The news signals an end to a long-winded coaching search that began four months ago as head coach Mike Locksley now has a full staff in place ahead of the start of spring ball. Sources also told IBG that former NFL assistant Pep Hamilton remains a strong candidate to join Maryland as an analyst this spring, giving more ammo on the offensive side of the ball.
Maryland capitalized on the offensive side of the ball with four-star quarterback Mike Van Buren visiting campus on Friday.
Maryland will begin spring practice on March 29.
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