Scott Van Pelt left crestfallen after Maryland’s 51-point loss
Things are looking bleak for the Maryland Terrapins and one of their most prominent alums, Scott Van Pelt. Head coach Mike Locksley has been under fire for underperforming on the field and strange behavior off the field. Maryland has banned reporters from asking follow-up questions of Locksley at press conferences this year, a restriction that…
Scott Van Pelt expressed disappointment over Maryland's devastating 51-point loss to UCLA in their season opener on Saturday. The Maryland Terrapins coach, Mike Locksley, has been under scrutiny for underperforming on and off the field. Locksley leads Maryland with a 39-51 record since joining the team in 2014. The loss was particularly shocking considering Maryland was a 1-point underdog against UCLA, another Big Ten school.
Van Pelt acknowledged that he did not want to criticize Locksley excessively and become a distraction, but admitted that a 51-point home defeat in the program's first game was inexcusable. He stated, "In my brain, Steve, I’m thinking we’re going to find out what Locks and what Maryland are all about. And the problem is, maybe we did.
You cannot lose a Big Ten opener by 51 points as a 1-point dog. There’s very little statistical, historical comparison for that. It just doesn’t happen. Because it cannot happen, it is an inexcusable result. Period."
Van Pelt also mentioned his past discussions with Maryland's AD, Jim Smith, about supporting the program. However, he refused to make any explicit demands or suggestions to the AD, believing it to be beyond his role. Despite the harsh criticism, Van Pelt vowed to continue supporting Maryland and finding ways to assist the program.
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