THE University of Maryland has fired Mike Locksley after a brutal start to the 2026 season.

The Terrapins lost five straight Big Ten games to start this college football season and were on a streak of 12 consecutive games before Locksley was fired.

Locksley, 56, owned a 39-54 record as Maryland head coach and was a brutal 10-21 since the start of 2024.

“Maryland football and this community mean a great deal to me,” Locksley said in a statement.

“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.

“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.

“They deserve our continued support, and I will always want the best for them and Maryland football.”

Locksley is owed a buyout of $9.75m, according to ESPN, that is due to be paid even if he gets a new job.

“We agreed that a coaching change was in the best interest of Coach Locksley and the Maryland football program,” athletic director Jim Smith said in a statement.

“On behalf of the University of Maryland, I want to thank Michael for his dedication to our football program and the genuine care he showed our student-athletes.

“Michael represented Maryland with pride, strengthened our connection throughout the state and the region, and made a lasting impact on the young men he coached.

“Our immediate responsibility is to provide stability for our players and ensure they have the resources, guidance and support they need.

“They have continued to represent Maryland with determination, and our entire department will stand behind them as we begin this next chapter.”

Longtime assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim is taking over as interim head coach.

College football top 25 rankings

BELOW is the AP College Football Top 25 rankings of the country's best programs.

1. Miami (6-0)
2. BYU (6-0)
3. Ohio State (6-1)
4. Notre Dame (6-1)
5. Georgia (6-1)
6. Indiana (6-1)
7. Ole Miss (5-1)
8. Texas Tech (6-0)
9. UCLA (6-0)
10. Utah (6-0)
11. Tennessee (6-1)
12. Kentucky (6-1)
13. Alabama (5-2)
14. Houston (6-1)
15. Iowa (5-1)
16. USC (6-1)
17. Wake Forest (6-1)
18. LSU (5-2)
19. Texas (4-2)
20. Florida (5-2)
21. Boise State (5-1)
22. Missouri (5-2)
23. SMU (5-1)
24. Northwestern (5-1)
25. Arizona (5-1)

*Rankings released after Week 7