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Maryland is kicking off the 2026-27 college football coaching carousel.
Longtime Terrapins coach Mike Locksley stepped down Wednesday in the first dismissal of the season, with the school labeling it a “mutual decision.”
Co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will serve as the interim coach, and the school said a “comprehensive national search” for its next coach will begin “immediately.”
“Maryland football and this community mean a great deal to me,”Locksley said in the school release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program for so many years, and for the relationships I have built with our players, staff, alumni and supporters.
“I am proud of the work we have done together and remain deeply invested in the success and well-being of the young men in this program. They deserve our continued support, and I will always want the best for them and Maryland football.”
Locksley had long been viewed as being on the proverbial hot seat and a 2-5 start to the 2026 season ultimately did him in.
This season marked his ninth with the program and he could not prevent what has been a noticeable downturn in recent years.
Maryland is 10-21 dating back to the start of the 2024 season, posting 4-8 records in both 2024 and 2025 with little progress being shown this season.
Locksley posted three straight winning seasons that included bowl game wins in each campaign before the Terrapins became bottom feeders in the Big Ten.
Maryland is 2-20 in conference play over the last three years, including 0-4 this year following last Saturday’s 37-30 home loss to struggling Rutgers.
Locksley finished 39-54 with the Terrapins, and previously went 2-26 leading New Mexico from 2009-11.
“My connection to this region and the people who make this community special is something I will always value,” he said in the release. “I appreciate everyone who has supported me and our entire program during my time at Maryland, and I wish the players, staff and the entire Maryland football community success in the future.”
Abdul-Rahim has served as the school’s co-defensive coordinator since 2024, and this is his second stint with the program after previously serving on the staff from 2016-18.
Maryland athletic director Jim Smith made it clear that he expects the program can contend in the future.
“Maryland is a world-class university with a proud football tradition, an outstanding location, a passionate fan base and tremendous potential,” Smith said in the release.
“Our expectation is to build a program that competes for championships and makes our students, alumni and supporters proud. We understand the responsibility that comes with leading Maryland Football, and we are committed to finding the right person to guide the Terrapins into the future.”