Michael Locksley is out as Maryland’s soccer coach in his eighth season, with the Terrapins in the course of a 12-game Big Ten shedding streak, the college introduced Wednesday.
Maryland referred to as the choice mutual and efficient instantly. ESPN reported that Locksley was dismissed. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, a defensive assistant on Locksley’s employees, will function interim head coach.
The transfer got here 4 days after a 37-30 residence loss to Rutgers dropped Maryland to 2-5 total and 0-4 within the Big Ten. The Terrapins are off this weekend and host Illinois on Oct. 31.
“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 stated in an announcement.
Locksley was employed in December 2018 and went 38-49 in his full-time tenure. He led Maryland to 3 bowl wins from 2021 to 2023, however the Terrapins went 4-8 in every of the final two seasons. The college lists his file as 39-54, which features a 1-5 stint as interim coach in 2015.
Smith stated a nationwide seek for a everlasting alternative will start instantly and will likely be performed confidentially. He stated the college is on the lookout for a frontrunner who can develop gamers, construct a championship-caliber tradition and recruit at an elite degree. He stated he and college president Darryll J. Pines are “fully aligned” on offering the assets for this system to succeed.
“Our immediate responsibility is to provide stability for our players,” Smith stated.
Biff Poggi, a Big Ten Network analyst and former Charlotte head coach, informed The Baltimore Sun he desires the job.
“Yeah, I really would like the job,” stated Poggi, who additionally served as Michigan’s interim head coach.
He stated he has not spoken with Smith or anybody concerned within the search. Poggi estimated Maryland would want $25 million to $28 million a yr for participant compensation.
Pines thanked Locksley for 18 years of service to the college, which included earlier stints as an assistant coach, and stated he “rebuilt Maryland football.”
“Maryland football and this community mean a great deal to me,” Locksley stated within the assertion. He stated he stays “deeply invested” within the gamers’ success and well-being.
Abdul-Rahim, a Washington native, is in his third season of a second stint at Maryland and has been on employees since 2024. He additionally coached on the college from 2016 to 2018. He performed at San Diego State and graduated in 1998.
© Copyright 2026 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce with out permission.
