Mike Locksley admits he wasn't prepared for NIL, struggled to retain best staffers during Maryland tenure

Mike Locksley, Maryland's former head coach, revealed during an ESPN interview that he was not fully prepared for the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on his tenure at Maryland. Upon taking over, the program had been in turmoil following the tragic death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair in 2018, and the recent addition of NIL payments exacerbated the situation.

Locksley struggled to retain top-tier coaching staff due to the financial incentives NIL brought, causing inconsistency within the locker room. Despite stabilizing Maryland's football program, securing three consecutive winning campaigns, and Taulia Tagovailoa rewriting several school passing records, Locksley's teams experienced a decline in performances, culminating in a 4-8 record in 2024.

Locksley's record at Maryland, which included six games as interim head coach in 2015, stands at 39-54. He expressed no desire to return to a college head-coaching position, instead opting to explore opportunities in the NFL or serve as a coordinator for a championship-caliber college program.