In a surprising twist, Maryland football’s sticking with head coach Mike Locksley for an eighth season. This comes after a string of rough showings in the Big Ten Conference.
Athletic Director Jim Smith broke the news in a letter to fans. He called for more financial support and resources to help the program become more competitive.
Maryland’s athletic department has been in a tough spot financially. Over the past five years, they’ve taken some big hits.
Even so, the administration says they’re optimistic about the future. They’re aiming to build a program that can chase Big Ten championships and maybe even a College Football Playoff spot someday.
Maryland’s Struggles and Locksley’s Tenure
Since jumping into the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland hasn’t exactly found its groove. The Terps have dropped six straight and are staring down what could be their 11th losing record in conference play.
Under Locksley, the numbers aren’t great: 36-42 overall, and just 16-41 in the Big Ten. Their recent 24-6 loss to Illinois was another tough pill, making it 14 losses in their last 16 conference games.
Locksley’s Achievements
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. Locksley managed to steer Maryland to three straight winning seasons and bowl games from 2021 to 2023.
That run showed the program’s got some potential if it gets the right backing. Jim Smith pointed out that college athletics has changed a lot lately, and Locksley deserves full support from the school and fans.
Financial Challenges and Commitment to Improvement
The athletic department’s money problems go back to joining the Big Ten. If they’d let Locksley go this year, Maryland would’ve owed him a $13 million buyout.
On top of that, The Athletic reported the department lost $32.7 million over five years. It’s been tough to create strong NIL opportunities for the athletes with numbers like that.
Investing in the Future
Jim Smith says they’re committed to giving Locksley and the players what they need to succeed. That means putting real effort into keeping the roster together, recruiting, and working the transfer portal.
Smith stressed that every move comes from a belief in the program’s potential and its leadership. University President Darryll Pines is also on board with making those investments, hoping Maryland can compete for Big Ten titles and playoff spots.
Support from the University and Fans
Honestly, the support from fans and the university might be the biggest piece here. Smith’s letter made it clear: everyone needs to be on the same page.
He asked fans to rally behind Locksley and the team. The administration says they’re fully committed to getting this right and giving fans something to be proud of.
Building a Competitive Program
To get competitive, Maryland’s got to tackle some big issues:
- Financial Support: They need more money for better facilities, coaching, and support for athletes.
- NIL Opportunities: Building up NIL deals is key for attracting and keeping talent.
- Recruiting and Retention: They have to recruit top high school players and hold onto their best guys.
- Transfer Portal: Being aggressive in the transfer portal could bring in experienced players who can help right away.
Conclusion
Maryland’s sticking with Mike Locksley for an eighth season. It’s a bet on stability and, maybe, a little faith in the long game.
Yeah, there’ve been some bumps lately—and money’s always a thing—but the administration still backs Locksley to turn things around. They’re hoping the right support and resources will finally push Maryland into serious Big Ten contention.
Who knows? Maybe the Terrapins will even sniff a College Football Playoff bid someday. Of course, all this depends on the university, fans, and everyone else buying in. It won’t be easy, but that’s college football for you.
Want the full story? Check out the article on The Score.
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