Maryland fires Locksley after 2-5 start; student reporters face police during coverage
Maryland University has ended the tenure of head football coach Mike Locksley following a 2-5 start to the 2026 season. The decision, described as a mutual parting of ways, comes after a 37-30 loss to Rutgers and a prolonged slump in Big Ten play. While the university announced a national search for a replacement and named Aazaar Abdul-Rahim as interim coach, the transition was marred by an incident where student reporters were met by police while attempting to interview players.
Key points
- Maryland and Mike Locksley mutually agreed to part ways on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, effective immediately.
- Locksley finishes with a 39-54 record in eight seasons, including a 16-47 record in Big Ten play.
- The firing follows a 2-5 start, highlighted by a 54-3 loss to UCLA and a 37-30 home loss to Rutgers.
- Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, the former defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.
- The university will pay Locksley a buyout exceeding $9 million, with half due within 60 days.
- Two student reporters from the Testudo Times were met by police at the practice facility while seeking player comments.
Background
Locksley’s tenure began in December 2018, following the firing of DJ Durkin. He previously served as an assistant at Maryland and won the Broyles Award as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. The program reached a high point from 2021 to 2023 with three consecutive bowl appearances, but results declined sharply in 2024 and 2025. Earlier this month, Maryland Representative Andy Harris defended threats against a student journalist, highlighting a broader tension between local authorities and the press in the state.
How outlets are covering it
Awful Announcing emphasizes the restrictive media environment, noting that Maryland athletics had previously banned follow-up questions at press conferences and that staff members had physically removed microphones from reporters. CBS Sports focuses on the financial and competitive context, highlighting the $9 million buyout and the team’s 2-20 record in Big Ten play since 2024. The University of Maryland Athletics framed the departure as a mutual decision aimed at providing stability for student-athletes, while Testudo Times detailed Locksley’s career trajectory, including his previous stints as an assistant and his poor record at New Mexico.
Why it matters
The firing marks the first Power Four coaching change of the 2026 season, signaling a shift in the Big Ten power structure. The incident involving student reporters raises concerns about press access in college athletics, particularly as universities tighten media policies. The search for a new head coach will likely focus on candidates who can leverage increased financial resources to rebuild a competitive program.
What to watch
Maryland will begin a confidential national search for a new head coach, with candidates including Jake Dickert and Billy Napier. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will lead the team for the remainder of the season, starting with a game against Illinois on October 31. The university will continue to pay Locksley’s buyout through 2028.
- Maryland student reporters have cops dispatched on them while covering Mike Locksley firing Awful Announcing
- Maryland fires Mike Locksley: Top candidates and roster priorities ESPN
- Maryland football fires head coach Mike Locksley Testudo Times
- Maryland Athletics, Michael Locksley Mutually Agree To Part Ways University of Maryland Athletics
- Maryland fires Mike Locksley after 2-5 start as Terrapins become first Power Four opening CBS Sports
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