Maryland’s ugly 54-3 loss to UCLA may have pushed Mike Locksley to the edge.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the situation in College Park has reached the point where it is "when, not if" Maryland parts ways with its head coach. Nakos reported Sunday that the Terrapins could make a move as soon as this weekend, though he also noted that such an early firing, just four games into the season, still "appears unlikely but isn’t out of the question, sources said."
The numbers around Locksley’s tenure are hard to ignore. Maryland is 39-51 under him and 17-49 in Big Ten play. He did steady the program from 2021 to 2023 with three straight winning seasons and bowl victories, but the last two seasons have gone in the wrong direction.
The schedule ahead only adds more pressure. Maryland travels to Nebraska next week, then goes to Ohio State on Oct. 10 before hosting Rutgers on Oct.
- The Terrapins’ bye week comes on Oct. 24, which Nakos identified as a possible point for an in-season change if the school decides to move on and install an interim coach.
There’s also the financial side of the decision. USA Today reported that Locksley is still owed more than $20 million on a contract that runs through the 2028 season.
His salary is set at $6.4 million now, rises to $6.7 million in 2027 and reaches $7 million in 2028. If Maryland fires him before Dec. 31, the buyout would be $9.2 million, per USA Today.
Maryland isn’t the only program watching a coach’s seat get hotter. Nakos reported that South Carolina is also weighing Shane Beamer’s future after a 49-18 loss to Alabama, with the pressure mounting there as well.
Florida State’s Mike Norvell is another name to keep an eye on, with the Seminoles in danger of a 2-6 start in a worst-case scenario. Their next four games are against Virginia, Louisville, Miami and Clemson, and Nakos noted it is not out of the question that Florida State could lose all four.
For now, though, the strongest sense around the sport is that Maryland may be the first big program to make a move.
In Other News...
Dylan Stewart Has South Carolina Facing A Huge Decision
South Carolina is now dealing with more than just the aftermath of a loss to Alabama. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart was suspended indefinitely by Shane Beamer after multiple incidents in the game, a troubling sequence that included penalties, a sideline argument and physical altercations. For a player whose talent has already made him one of the more important pieces on the roster, the situation has quickly turned into one of the biggest off-field questions facing the program.
Stewarts track record only adds weight to what comes next, since this is not the first time his behavior has drawn scrutiny. He was ejected earlier in 2025 for unsportsmanlike conduct, and he was also flagged for taunting in 2024 after a gun celebration gesture that drew public criticism. South Carolina is expected to decide his future later this week, leaving the Gamecocks to balance discipline, accountability and the reality of what his presence means on the field. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Suddenly Has A Bigger Problem Than Its Losing Streak
South Carolina heads into Week 5 trying to steady itself after a two-game skid, but the focus has shifted well beyond the record. The Gamecocks are back at Williams-Brice Stadium to face Kentucky, and the matchup arrives with a bit more edge than usual after a turbulent week around the program.
Dylan Stewart's indefinite suspension following incidents in the loss to Alabama has created a fresh challenge for a defense already trying to get back on track. Kentucky, meanwhile, comes in at 3-1 under new coach Will Stein, riding two straight wins and leaning on a rushing attack that looked sharp against South Alabama, which only raises the urgency for South Carolina to find answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Gets A Tough Florida Setup At The Worst Time
South Carolinas next SEC road trip comes with an early start and a tricky setup, as the Gamecocks are set to visit Florida on October 10. The kickoff window is down to either noon or 12:45 p.m., with the exact time to be locked in after the October 3 games, and the matchup will air on SEC Network.
For a team trying to manage the grind of conference play, a daytime trip to Gainesville is hardly an ideal follow-up. The timing will be settled soon enough, but South Carolina already knows the challenge waiting on the other side: a road date in the SEC, on television, and at a time that leaves little room to ease into the matchup. [Read more 🡒]