Maryland AD Jim Smith Talks Recruiting Wins, Basketball Battles, and the Road Ahead in College Park
Maryland Athletic Director Jim Smith joined 105.7 this week and covered a lot of ground-from recent recruiting wins to the challenges of roster management in the NIL and transfer portal era. Smith didn’t hold back on where Maryland stands, what the Terps are building, and how the program is navigating the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.
On Adding Top Talent-and Doing It Without a Key NIL Contributor
Maryland football made a splash this fall, landing Baba Oladotun, Quincy Wilson, and Zion Elee, while also retaining standout Malik Washington. And according to Smith, they did it without one of their major NIL contributors in the fold.
“It’s been a great run this fall,” Smith said. “Part of it is just getting the message out that we’re serious about competing at the highest level. These elite local athletes-guys who want to play in front of family and friends-are seeing that they can do that right here in College Park and still be part of something competitive and meaningful.”
Smith made it clear: the Terps are building, and they’re doing it with a focus on keeping local talent home and giving them a platform to thrive.
On Maryland Men’s Basketball: A Tale of Two Games
Smith also weighed in on Maryland men’s basketball, particularly their recent matchups against Michigan and Virginia. While the loss to Virginia stung, Smith pointed to the Michigan game as a sign of what this team is capable of when healthy and locked in.
“If you watched the Michigan game start to finish, you saw a team that fights,” he said. “Michigan hadn’t trailed at halftime all year, and we played extremely well. The injury obviously changed the game a bit, and the technicals-I’m with Bob on that one-but even then, we were right there with 10 minutes to go.”
Smith praised the coaching staff for their game plan, especially the way they managed tempo and shot selection. “We weren’t trying to get into a full track meet with them, but we still put up 50 in the first half,” he said. “Buzz and his staff deserve a lot of credit for that.”
As for the Virginia game, Smith acknowledged the challenge of playing a quality opponent while dealing with injuries and an ever-shifting lineup.
“These guys can coach, and the players are giving great effort,” he said. “But when your starters are constantly changing, that’s a challenge in any sport.”
On Malik Washington and the Bigger Picture of Roster Retention
While Malik Washington’s return is a headline in itself, Smith emphasized that the process of player retention isn’t just about one name-it’s a year-round, team-wide effort.
“Let’s not make it about Malik. This is about college football and every sport,” Smith said.
“Every year, every athlete has the option to stay or go. The portal opens every year, so you’re constantly having conversations-are they the right fit for us, and do they want to stay?”
Smith echoed what many coaches have said in the NIL era: you’re not just recruiting high school talent, you’re also re-recruiting your own roster every offseason.
On Building a Roster Within the Budget
With the transfer portal wide open and NIL deals playing a larger role than ever, Smith addressed the financial side of roster building.
“Every team has to build a roster within their resources,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Ohio State or Maryland-we all have to be smart about how we do it.”
Smith didn’t shy away from the fact that Maryland has resources to work with. But he also noted that this isn’t the NFL-there’s no salary cap parity. Programs have to make strategic decisions about which positions to invest in and how to spread their NIL dollars to build a competitive team.
On Women’s Basketball and a Big Day Ahead
Smith also shined a spotlight on Maryland women’s basketball, which is set to play Central Connecticut in front of a packed house. The game is part of the program’s annual “field trip day,” where 17,000 students from across the region fill the stands.
“It’s going to be a complete sellout,” Smith said. “Brenda’s team is going to put on a show, and we’re excited to host all those kids for a great morning and early afternoon of basketball.”
He also gave quick nods to other programs in the department: wrestling is off to a strong 4-1 start, and gymnastics will kick off its regular season shortly after the new year.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 winds down, Smith closed with a message to Maryland fans.
“Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year,” he said. “We’ll hit the ground running in 2026.”
The message is clear from College Park: Maryland is building something. The foundation is getting stronger, the talent is coming in, and the belief in what’s possible is growing. Whether it’s on the football field, the basketball court, or beyond, the Terps are laying the groundwork for a program that doesn’t just compete-it belongs.