Maryland has mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Mike Locksley after Saturday's 37-30 defeat by Rutgers marked the team's fifth straight loss, the school announced Wednesday.
Defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim was named interim head coach.
"Following thoughtful conversations with Coach Locksley, we agreed that a coaching change was in the best interest of Coach Locksley and the Maryland football program," director of athletics Jim Smith said in a statement.
Maryland is 2-5 this season. Locksley posted a 39-54 record with the team.
"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," Locksley said in a statement. "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."
Locksley is owed a buyout of $9.75 million, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Abdul-Rahim was elevated to interim defensive coordinator Oct. 18 after Locksley fired Ted Monachino. Inside linebackers coach Zac Spavital was named co-defensive coordinator at the same time.
The Terrapins secured wins over Hampton and UConn to begin their 2026 campaign before their losing skid.
The 56-year-old Locksley became Maryland's interim coach during the 2015 season after Randy Edsall was relieved of his duties. He left the program following that campaign, but Maryland hired him as head coach ahead of the 2019 season. The Terrapins won three straight bowl games after posting winning records from 2021-23.
Maryland has struggled to field a competitive team in recent years. Locksley's team finished with a 1-8 record in Big Ten play in each of the last two seasons. The Terps began their 2025 campaign 4-0 before losing their final eight games.
