Maryland’s Mike Locksley Is First FBS Coach Fired, Owed Nearly $10M
$4.9 million is due to Locksley within 60 days.
On Wednesday, Maryland's football team made history by becoming the first in-season head coach to be fired in the 2026 college football season. Coach Mike Locksley, who had been with the program for eight years, was dismissed after a 2-5 record in his most recent season. This came after back-to-back 4-8 seasons in 2024 and 2025, bringing his overall record during his tenure to 39-54.
The University of Maryland is currently on a week-long break following a loss to Rutgers, their fifth consecutive defeat. Locksley was asked about how he would like to be remembered if his final game was his last, but declined to provide a response. He expressed his commitment to the players and his dedication to giving them his best effort until told otherwise.
The coach is owed nearly $10 million in buyout money, with $4.9 million of that due within 60 days. The buyout terms are straightforward with no mitigation or offset obligations. Defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim is set to assume interim coaching responsibilities, having previously served as co-defensive coordinator with Ted Monachino.
This marks the first head coaching change in Maryland's history, signaling a shift in the university's football program. The 2026 offseason has been notably quiet in terms of coaching changes, with the first firing occurring before October 1 for the first time since 2019. In the previous season, eight coaches were let go before October, totaling more than $60 million in buyout payments.
Maryland Athletic Director Jim Smith pledged to provide the necessary resources for the football program to succeed under interim leadership.
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