Mike Locksley’s departure from Maryland closes a chapter that spanned more than seven seasons, but his coaching career remains far from over. At 59, Locksley has built a reputation as an offensive specialist with deep experience and a strong recruiting record. His extensive network and offensive resume make it likely he will find a new role in college football soon.
Locksley began coaching in 1992 as a defensive backs coach at Towson State. Since then, he has worked at programs across the country, including a national championship-winning stint at Alabama. In 2017, he was co-offensive coordinator for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide and took over as the sole offensive coordinator in 2018. His offenses at Alabama were known for their explosiveness despite changes in personnel.
Before returning to Maryland as head coach after the 2018 season, Locksley had multiple tenures with the Terrapins as offensive coordinator. There, he helped develop NFL-caliber talent like Stefon Diggs and D.J. Moore. His Maryland offenses, especially with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa from 2021 to 2023, averaged just under 30 points per game annually.
Locksley’s first coordinator job came at Illinois in 2005 under Ron Zook. The Fighting Illini’s offense struggled initially but showed marked improvement by 2007, boosting scoring from 19.6 points per game to 27.8 points. That year, running back Rashard Mendenhall emerged as a standout. Illinois maintained a similar offensive output in 2008.
After a brief coaching stop at New Mexico, Locksley returned to Maryland in a coordinator role before moving to Alabama as an offensive analyst in 2016. His time in Tuscaloosa coincided with a wave of coaching talent cycling through the program. Locksley worked alongside Steve Sarkisian, who left for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, opening the door for Locksley to become co-offensive coordinator. He also collaborated with coaches like Jeff Banks, now special teams coach at Texas.
Locksley’s connections extend across the coaching community, providing him with a broad network that could influence his next destination. His familiarity with coaches from Alabama’s staff during a period when many sought to revamp their careers is a significant asset.
Recruiting is another area where Locksley has made an impact. During his second Maryland stint, he secured several high-profile commitments, including Malik Washington, a four-star prospect ranked 54th overall in the 2025 signing class by 247Sports. Washington has struggled this season amid Maryland’s issues but remains a talented quarterback who could attract interest from other programs.
Washington’s relationship with Locksley raises the possibility he might follow the coach if Locksley lands a new job. While it is more common for players to follow coaches moving to bigger roles, their established connection could influence Washington’s future decisions. Locksley also signed other top recruits at Maryland, such as five-star edge rusher Zion Elee and four-star running back DeJuan Williams.
Locksley’s offensive acumen and recruiting successes make him a potential candidate for programs looking to improve their attack or develop young talent. His career as an assistant coach working with running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends shows versatility on offense. Given his history of turning around offensive production and his network of coaching contacts, he could quickly find a role as an offensive coordinator or analyst.
Maryland’s search for a new head coach continues, while Locksley’s next move remains unconfirmed. However, with more than three decades of experience and a strong offensive pedigree, he is well-positioned to remain involved in college football at a high level.
According to CBS.
