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Maryland, coach Mike Locksley agree to split amid 12-game Big Ten skid

By Thomson Reuters Oct 21, 2026 | 11:43 AM

By Field Level Media

Oct 21 (Field Level Media) – Maryland football coach Mike Locksley stepped down on Wednesday in what ​the school called a “mutual decision” amid ‌a 12-game Big Ten losing streak.

Locksley was 39-54, including 3-0 in bowl games, since he took over the Terrapins program in 2019 — plus a ‌six-game ​interim stretch in 2015. ⁠His teams were just ⁠10-21 since the start of 2024.

“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,” athletic director Jim ⁠Smith said.

Co-defensive coordinator Aazaar ⁠Abdul-Rahim will lead the Terrapins (2-5, 0-4) ​as interim coach for the rest of ​the season, per the reports.

Locksley, 56, is ‌earning $6.4 million this season on a contract that runs through the 2028 season. The school owes him a buyout of just ⁠under $10 million, per ESPN.

Locksley fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday on the heels of Saturday’s ⁠37-30 home ‌loss against Rutgers, the Terrapins’ ⁠fifth consecutive defeat.

Maryland is off this ​weekend ‌before hosting Illinois on Oct. ​31. The ⁠Terrapins have not won a Big Ten game since a 27-10 victory at Wisconsin on Sept. 20, 2025.

Locksley led Maryland to bowl wins in three consecutive seasons from 2021-23.

(–Field ​Level Media)