Maryland is sticking with Mike Locksley as its head football coach for 2026 and committing to a major financial reset around the program, athletic director Jim Smith told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Locksley is in his eighth season with the Terps currently at 4-6. They've dropped six straight games in Big Ten play. Maryland finished 4-8 last year after a run of three consecutive bowl victories. It was the longest postseason streak in program history.
Smith explained that keeping Locksley was driven in part by the need to retain a promising young core and avoid further roster instability.
“We are working to strengthen our NIL support for 2026 and beyond and have already seen success for next year,” Smith told ESPN. “We are prioritizing roster retention, recruiting and competing in the transfer portal.” Smith informed Locksley and the team on Sunday before releasing an open letter to fans.
Locksley is 37-47 at Maryland and would have been owed more than $13 million if fired. The school instead is banking on the development of freshman quarterback Malik Washington, who has 17 touchdowns, along with standout defensive ends Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis. Maryland’s 2025 recruiting class featured seven ESPN 300 prospects and ranked No. 24 nationally.
Smith said the program’s NIL resources will “significantly” increase next year. “Everyone involved with the football program is focused on giving Coach Locksley the resources to succeed in the Big Ten,” he said.
Maryland closes the season out against Michigan and Michigan State.
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