Maryland fires Mike Locksley after 2-5 start as Terrapins become first Power Four opening

Maryland fired long-time head coach Mike Locksley on Wednesday after a 2-5 start to the 2026 season, the school announced Wednesday. The Terrapins lost, 37-30, to Rutgers in its homecoming game Saturday inside SECU Stadium.

"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," Maryland athletic director Jim Smith said in a statement.

Maryland will begin its search for Locksley's replacement immediately. "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.

Locksley, who arrived at Maryland in December 2018, had a 39-54 record over seven-plus seasons as the Terrapins' head coach. The high point of the Locksley era in College Park came from 2021-2023, when Maryland won at least 7 games and reached a bowl game for 3 consecutive seasons. A Music City Bowl win over Auburn to finish the 2023 season with an 8-5 record portended a bright future.

Instead, Maryland went 4-8 in 2024 and 2025 as the program fell down the Big Ten totem pole. The school and its top supporters increased the…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/