Maryland parts ways with coach Mike Locksley after 2-5 start; Abdul-Rahim named interim
Photo: Washington TimesThe University of Maryland announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that head football coach Mike Locksley is leaving the Terrapins, effective immediately, after the team started the 2026 season 2-5, including 0-4 in the Big Ten. The university described the move as a mutual decision, and athletics director Jim Smith thanked Locksley for his work with student-athletes. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, a Washington, D.C., native on staff since 2024 as co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach, was named interim head coach. Locksley finishes with a 39-54 overall record and 17-52 in the Big Ten, having begun at Maryland in 2019. A search for a permanent coach is now underway.
Right-leaning Washington Times leads with the firing and the 2-5 start in the middle of Locksley's eighth season. Left-leaning CBS News leads with the university's statement, emphasizing the mutual decision and the interim appointment. Alternative outlets CBS Sports and ESPN focus on the search, naming potential candidates such as Wake Forest's Jason Dickert and roster priorities for the next coach. All sides agree on the 2-5 start and the interim hire.
How the sides differ Left sources stress the university's mutual-decision statement; right sources report a firing after a 2-5 start; alternative sources focus on candidates.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
Leads with the university's statement and its mutual-decision framing, featuring athletics director Jim Smith's remarks and the interim coach's background.
Focuses on the coaching search, featuring candidate names and analyst views from InsideMDSports, and ESPN highlights roster priorities for the next coach.
Leads with the firing and the 2-5 start in the middle of Locksley's eighth season, with a brief report centered on the decision itself.