Maryland fires Mike Locksley after 2-5 start; Abdul-Rahim set to take over
The Terrapins made the coaching change after a home loss to Rutgers. CBS Sports reports that defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will serve as interim coach.
Maryland fired football coach Mike Locksley on Wednesday, October 21, after a 2-5 start to the 2026 season in College Park, according to separate reports by Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports. CBS Sports reported that defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over as interim coach, putting him in charge of a team that has struggled in Big Ten play over the past three seasons.
The decision followed Maryland’s 37-30 home loss to Rutgers on Saturday. Yahoo Sports attributed its report of the firing to Ross Dellenger; CBS Sports cited its own sources. Maryland had retained Locksley for 2026 after consecutive 4-8 seasons, according to Yahoo Sports.
Aazaar Abdul-Rahim’s first game as interim coach
CBS Sports reported that Abdul-Rahim, Maryland’s newly promoted defensive coordinator, will lead the Terrapins against Illinois in College Park on October 31. The outlet also reported that Maryland will owe Locksley more than $9 million in buyout money. Those details about the interim role and the buyout come from CBS Sports’ account.
The Rutgers defeat was Maryland’s third home loss of the season, following losses to Virginia Tech and UCLA, CBS Sports reported. UCLA beat Maryland 54-3. CBS Sports said Locksley had gone more than a year without a win over a Power Four opponent and had a 2-20 record in Big Ten games since 2024. Yahoo Sports likewise reported just two Maryland conference wins since the start of that season.
How Maryland’s results changed under Locksley
Locksley arrived for his latest Maryland tenure before the 2019 season, after working on Alabama’s coaching staff, according to Yahoo Sports. CBS Sports put his Maryland record at 39-54 over seven-plus seasons. His strongest stretch included three consecutive bowl appearances from 2021 through 2023; Maryland finished 8-5 in both 2022 and 2023, with a Music City Bowl win over Auburn closing the latter season.
The results then fell away. Maryland finished 4-8 in each of 2024 and 2025. Yahoo Sports reported that the Terrapins started those seasons 3-1 and 4-0, respectively, before late slides. In 2025, an eight-game losing streak followed a September win at Wisconsin; Maryland lost each of its final five games by at least 10 points.
Ahead of 2026, Maryland increased financial support for the program, brought in offensive coordinator Clint Trickett, added recruit Zion Elee and retained quarterback Malik Washington, CBS Sports reported. The team’s 2-5 opening leaves Abdul-Rahim to take over after those changes failed to produce a winning start.
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Sources and context
- Maryland fires coach Mike Locksley after 2-5 start, dismal 3-season stretch: SourceYahoo Sports; firing attributed to Ross Dellenger
- Maryland fires Mike Locksley after 2-5 start as Terrapins become first Power Four openingCBS Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.