Breaking: Maryland football parts ways with Mike Locksley

3 hours ago

5 min read

Maryland football will officially have a new head coach in 2027.

Maryland football is expected to part ways with Mike Locksley after nearly eight full seasons as head coach. Maryland will now owe Locksley $9.75 million with half set to paid out within 60 days.

Defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who was elevated to defensive coordinator days ago, is set to serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Maryland held a team meeting on Wednesday morning, formally announcing the news just prior to the press release announced shortly after.

"Following thoughtful conversations with Coach Locksley, we agreed that a coaching change was in the best interest of Coach Locksley and the Maryland football program,” said Jim Smith, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, via release. “On behalf of the University of Maryland, I want to thank Michael for his dedication to our football program and the genuine care he showed our student-athletes. Michael represented Maryland with pride, strengthened our connection throughout the state and the region, and made a lasting impact on the young men he coached. We are grateful to Michael, Kia, and his family for everything they have contributed to our university.”

Locksley ends his tenure with the program with a 38-49 overall record, including 17-47 in Big Ten play. Yet his tenure also ended after being outcoached in consecutive weeks against first-year head coaches, first by James Franklin then Bob Chesney in losses against Virginia Tech and UCLA. Maryland then suffered road losses against Nebraska then Ohio State in largely uncompetitive meetings, ending a deflating end for the organization.

Mike Locksley returned to College Park for his third stint in the program, but first as head coach, in Dec. 2018 where he arrived with the massive task of rebuilding the program in the wake of Jordan McNair’s passing. Locksley was able to lean on local recruiting to gradually make that a reality, landing players like Beau Brade, Tommy Akingbesote, Rakim Jarrett, Keandre Jones and Malik Washington among many others through his eight-year head coaching tenure in College Park. He also led the program to a welcomed return to postseason play midway through his tenure after winning three consecutive bowl appearances in as many seasons, the first time the program won three consecutive bowl appearances since the mid-2000s.

The highs during his tenure came during the Taulia Tagovailoa era as the Alabama transfer materialized into the all-time passing leader by the end of his career. Yet his tenure was highlighted by the inability to win critical games with the 2021 win vs. West Virginia one of two regular season signature wins. Locksley was head coach for two of Maryland’s top 25 highest attended games, yet Maryland was outscored 110-15 by James Franklin’s Penn State teams to drop both contests. It marked the theme of the program: underperforming when it mattered.

Under Locksley, Maryland went October and November September, excluding the 2020 shortened COVID season. Since 2021, Maryland is also 0-21 against ranked Big Ten opponents and 2-12 as home underdogs. Locksley’s tenure ended after three consecutive losing seasons, derailing all momentum from the three bowl win seasons.

Official Release:

COLLEGE PARK, MD — In a mutual decision, Maryland Athletics announced that Michael Locksley is stepping down as the head coach of the football program, effective immediately. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim has been named interim head coach.

"Following thoughtful conversations with Coach Locksley, we agreed that a coaching change was in the best interest of Coach Locksley and the Maryland football program,” said Jim Smith, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics. “On behalf of the University of Maryland, I want to thank Michael for his dedication to our football program and the genuine care he showed our student-athletes. Michael represented Maryland with pride, strengthened our connection throughout the state and the region, and made a lasting impact on the young men he coached. We are grateful to Michael, Kia, and his family for everything they have contributed to our university.”

The university remains committed to supporting its student-athletes and football staff throughout the transition. “Our immediate responsibility is to provide stability for our players and ensure they have the resources, guidance and support they need,” Smith said. “They have continued to represent Maryland with determination, and our entire department will stand behind them as we begin this next chapter.”

A comprehensive national search for Maryland’s next head coach will begin immediately. The search will be conducted with a high degree of confidentiality and will focus on identifying a proven leader who can develop student-athletes, build a championship-caliber culture and recruit at an elite level. “President Darryll J. Pines and I are fully aligned in our commitment to providing the investment, infrastructure and resources required for Maryland Football to succeed,” Smith said.

“Maryland is a world-class university with a proud football tradition, an outstanding location, a passionate fan base and tremendous potential,” Smith added. “Our expectation is to build a program that competes for championships and makes our students, alumni and supporters proud. We understand the responsibility that comes with leading Maryland Football, and we are committed to finding the right person to guide the Terrapins into the future.”

“I want to thank Michael for his 18 years of service to the University, Athletic Department and Football Program,” said President Darryll J. Pines. “Michael has been a consummate professional, committed to student-athlete well-being. He rebuilt Maryland football and brought together the community and fan base during a difficult time period in the history of the university. We wish Michael and his family well as they enter their next chapter.”

“Maryland football and this community mean a great deal to me,” said Locksley. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program for so many years, and for the relationships I have built with our players, staff, alumni and supporters.

“I am proud of the work we have done together and remain deeply invested in the success and well-being of the young men in this program. They deserve our continued support, and I will always want the best for them and Maryland football.

“My connection to this region and the people who make this community special is something I will always value. I appreciate everyone who has supported me and our entire program during my time at Maryland, and I wish the players, staff and the entire Maryland football community success in the future.”

Locksley was in his eighth season as head coach of the Terrapins and posted a 39-54 record in College Park. He led Maryland to wins in three bowl games from 2021-23.

Abdul-Rahim (full name pronounced ah-ZAR ab-dool rah-HEEM) is a Washington, D.C., native in his third season of his second stint with the Terrapins. He has served as Co-Defensive Coordinator, Associate Head Coach of the Defense and Cornerbacks Coach since 2024. He previously coached at Maryland from 2016-18. He played three seasons at San Diego State, graduating in 1998.

Related Links