Michael Locksley to remain Maryland football head coach in 2026

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With two weeks remaining in Maryland football’s 2025 season, and the Terps moving into their 57th consecutive day without a victory, Athletic Director Jim Smith said in an interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel that head coach Michael Locksley will remain in his post for another year.

Smith, who has only been with Maryland since May, had a difficult choice to make regarding the future of Maryland’s program. With the Terps on a six-game losing streak for the third time since joining the Big Ten in 2014, large sections of fans were airing their complaints — chants of “Fire Locksley” broke out amongst the student section at Maryland’s last home game, on Nov. 1 against No. 2 Indiana, for the first time in the coach’s tenure.

While he attended Locksley’s media availability Tuesday, Smith told Baltimore Sun reporter Taylor Lyons the program would evaluate the program’s status following the season. The decision has come early.

With Locksley having two years remaining on a deal that pays him roughly $6 million per year, buying out the’s contract would have cost the program $13 million. Following Maryland’s 35-20 loss against Rutgers, Lyons reported that would be a significant sticking point among Maryland’s financial backers.

Instead, it appears money will be invested into the program as a whole, providing Locksley with greater financial backing.

“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 … Everyone involved with the football program is focused on giving Coach Locksley the resources to succeed in the Big Ten.”

Locksley, whose contract runs through 2027, has compiled a 41-53 record since taking over at Maryland before the 2019 season. He led Maryland to wins in three consecutive bowl games from 2021-2023. The Terps are 18-52 in Big Ten play under his leadership.

Smith released a letter in support of Locksley on the official Maryland Athletics website, which can be read here.

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