Mike Locksley fired by Maryland after 12 straight Big Ten losses; all you need to know
Maryland parted ways with head coach Mike Locksley on Wednesday after the Terrapins dropped their 12th consecutive Big Ten game. The move ends Locksley’s eighth season leading the program. The 56-year-old finished with a 39-54 overall record at Maryland and was 10-21 since the start of the 2024 campaign.
Why Maryland made the change
The decision followed a 37-30 homecoming loss to Rutgers on Saturday. Maryland surrendered 24 unanswered points in the second half in front of a sparse crowd. The defeat marked the program’s 20th loss in its last 22 Big Ten contests and extended a five-game losing streak. The Terrapins (2-5) are 0-4 in conference play this season and sit on a bye before hosting Illinois on October 31.
Mike Locksley’s position had drawn scrutiny for more than a year after back-to-back 4-8 seasons in 2024 and 2025. Athletic director Jim Smith publicly backed him last November and promised additional resources. Maryland responded by bringing in 15 transfers and landing the nation’s 37th-ranked recruiting class, headlined by No. 2 overall prospect Zion Elee.
After opening wins over Hampton and UConn, the Terps lost 35-26 at home to Virginia Tech and then fell to UCLA, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers. In those five defeats, they allowed an average of 43.8 points and lost by an average margin of 24.6 points.
Maryland’s defense has surrendered 219 points during the current skid and ranks 133rd nationally in points allowed (33.3 per game). The program is also winless in its last 13 games against Power 4 opponents.
What Jim Smith and Mike Locksley said
“We agreed that a coaching change was in the best interest of Coach Mike Locksley and the Maryland football program,” Smith said in a statement. “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. Our immediate responsibility is to provide stability for our players and ensure they have the resources, guidance and support they need. They have continued to represent Maryland with determination, and our entire department will stand behind them as we begin this next chapter.”
Locksley released his own statement. “Maryland football and this community mean a great deal to me,” he said. “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.”
He added later: “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.”
