Maryland has fired head coach Mike Locksley after a string of poor results that left the Terrapins with a 2-5 overall record and winless in the Big Ten this season. The decision came on Wednesday, 21 October, marking the earliest major coaching change in the 2026 college football cycle.
Locksley departs Maryland with a 39-54 overall record and a 17-52 mark in Big Ten play. The Terrapins have struggled significantly in conference games, winning only two since the start of the 2024 season. The team’s performance this year, including a 0-4 Big Ten start, prompted the university to make the move mid-season.
Maryland’s coaching search is already underway, with the program compiling a hot board of candidates. One early name attracting attention is Wake Forest head coach Jason Dickert. Dickert took over at Wake Forest following the collapse of the Pac-12 and a successful final season at Washington State, where he went 8-4 in 2024. He currently holds a 14-5 record with the Demon Deacons, including a 7-5 mark in the ACC midway through his second season.
Jack Sheehan of InsideMDSports said, “For Maryland, the attraction is a coach with a defensive background and experience developing competitive teams without routinely signing the most talented roster in his conference. The Terps need someone who can improve their weekly baseline, and Dickert’s résumé offers a credible case.”
Sheehan added, “The bigger question might be whether Maryland could persuade him to leave. He already has a power-conference job and early success at Wake Forest. Smith would need to present a compelling opportunity, backed by the resources to support it.”
InsideMDSports, a 247Sports affiliate covering Maryland football, has released an initial list of potential candidates for the position. The list reportedly includes several notable names, including one coach described as having “one of the most accomplished head-coaching résumés on this board.” The full list is available exclusively through the InsideMDSports VIP membership.
Maryland’s search reflects an urgency to reverse years of underachievement in the Big Ten. The program has struggled to find consistent footing since joining the conference, and the firing of Locksley signals a desire to change course quickly. The school’s athletic director, Tad Smith, will oversee the hiring process.
Locksley’s tenure began with optimism, but the poor results this season and the difficulty securing conference wins undermined confidence in his leadership. The decision to part ways now suggests Maryland is willing to take early action rather than wait until the offseason.
Wake Forest under Dickert has shown steady progress. His defensive expertise and ability to develop teams without the deepest talent pools fit Maryland’s current needs, according to insiders. However, convincing a coach already succeeding in a power conference to move will require a strong pitch and assurances of support.
As the coaching search unfolds, Maryland will weigh its options carefully. The program’s future direction depends on landing a coach capable of lifting the team’s performance in a demanding conference environment. The full coaching hot board and analysis of potential candidates are available through InsideMDSports, which is currently offering a 50% discount on annual VIP memberships.
According to CBS.
