Maryland and football coach Mike Locksley part ways after 2-5 start; Abdul-Rahim named interim
Photo: Washington TimesMaryland football coach Mike Locksley left the job Wednesday after the Terrapins opened the 2026 season 2-5, with the university announcing the change effective immediately. The school called it a mutual decision. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, a co-defensive coordinator and Washington, D.C., native, was named interim head coach. Athletic director Jim Smith said a change was in the best interest of Locksley and the program. Locksley, who arrived in December 2018, went 39-54. Maryland lost 37-30 to Rutgers on Saturday and has lost 12 straight Big Ten games. The school said a national search would begin immediately.
Alternative outlets ESPN and CBS Sports say Maryland "fired" Locksley, leading with his record and the conference losing streak; CBS Sports adds the Rutgers loss, the 2021-23 bowl run and added financial backing. Left-leaning CBS News leads with the university statement, Smith's thanks and Abdul-Rahim's résumé. Right-leaning outlets split: the New York Post calls it the start of the coaching carousel, cites a long-running hot seat, 10-21 since 2024 and a 2-20 conference mark, and quotes Locksley; the Washington Times says he was fired. Outlets count his seasons differently.
How the sides differ Left sources emphasize the university's mutual-decision statement and the interim coach's background; alternative sources stress the record and losing streak; right sources stress the hot seat and conference futility.
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CBS News leads with Maryland's statement describing a mutual decision, quoting Jim Smith's praise of Locksley and detailing interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim's background.
ESPN and CBS Sports call it a firing, leading with Locksley's 39-54 record and the Big Ten losing streak; CBS Sports adds the Rutgers loss and the program's earlier rise.
- Washington TimesMaryland fires football coach Mike Locksley after 2-5 start
The New York Post frames it as the first coaching exit of the season, citing the hot seat, recent records and Locksley's statement; the Washington Times headlines a firing.