Maryland made official what had been rumored for days on Sunday.
The Terrapins football program fired head coach Randy Edsall after a 2-4 start to the 2015 season. This came after numerous reports surfaced last week indicating that a coaching change was imminent. Edsall was in his fifth year with the team after being hired from Connecticut in 2011. He led the Huskies to the Big East title and first-ever BCS bowl appearance the previous year.
Maryland makes it official. Randy Edsall is out. Mike Locksley named interim coach.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 11, 2015
Optimism was high heading into the school’s second season in the Big Ten, especially after their 7-6 record in 2014 that included a road win against Michigan. Edsall was given a three-year contract extension in June that was to keep him in College Park through the 2019 season with his original six-year deal set to expire in 2016.
That sentiment soured quickly this year. It started in the aftermath of a 48-27 defeat to Bowling Green where the Terp defense gave up nearly 700 yards to the Falcons. Then came consecutive blowout losses to West Virginia and Michigan in which the team was outscored a comibined 73-6. Against the Wolverines, Maryland could only manage 105 yards of total offense.
The team showed signs of life Saturday in Columbus against top-ranked Ohio State. Buoyed by quarterback Perry Hills 170 rushing yards, the Terps had the Buckeyes tied 21-21 in the third quarter before eventually falling 49-28. After the game, Edsall angrily stormed out of the press conference after being asked about his future, adding to the speculation his days were numbered.
Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley will take over on an interim basis for the remainder of the year. He has previous coaching experience with the Terps having been the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator from 1997-2002.
Edsall finishes with a 22-34 record in College Park and currently has a career record of 96-104 going back to his days with UConn.
The full statement from the University of Maryland athletic department can be viewed below.
It's official: Maryland has fired head coach Randy Edsall. pic.twitter.com/XfvRzUuUxb
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) October 11, 2015
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