Maryland fires defensive coordinator Ted Monachino amid Locksley job security concerns
Maryland dismissed defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday following a 37-30 loss to Rutgers that dropped the Terrapins to 2-5 on the season. The team's defense has struggled significantly, ranking in the bottom quarter of college football in total defense, pass defense, rush defense, and scoring defense, according to the report. Co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over play-calling duties on an interim basis, with inside linebackers coach Zac Spatival also elevated to co-defensive coordinator. Head coach Mike Locksley's own job security remains in serious question, as he has compiled a 2-20 Big Ten record since the 2024 season and has not defeated a Power Four opponent in over a year.
Why it matters
For coaches: Monachino's mid-season dismissal signals how quickly a coordinator's position can become untenable when unit performance falls short, and Locksley's precarious status puts the entire Maryland staff on notice.
For athletes: Maryland players on the defensive side of the ball will face a scheme and leadership transition heading into a bye week and the second half of the season.
Read the full story at CBS Sports
Sources
- CBS Sports · John Talty: Maryland fires DC Ted Monachino as Mike Locksley's future as coach remains in doubt
- Yahoo Sports college football: Maryland football rumors: Brian Kelly, Chip Kelly, 2 Indiana coaches on Pete Nakos’ hot board to replace Mike Locksley
- Yahoo Sports college football: Maryland’s Mike Locksley Is First FBS Coach Fired, Owed Nearly $10M
- Front Office Sports · Kennington Smith III: Maryland’s Mike Locksley Is First FBS Coach Fired, Owed Nearly $10M
- The Athletic: Maryland fires head coach Mike Locksley as Terps sit winless in Big Ten play
- Yahoo Sports college football: Maryland Finally Makes Inevitable Mike Locksley Decision
- Yahoo Sports college football: 5 Replacements for Mike Locksley After Maryland Firing Include Charles Huff, Jake Dickert
- Yahoo Sports college football: Maryland Fires Mike Locksley, Opening a Big Ten Job
- Yahoo Sports college football: FBS Gets First Active Muslim Head Coach After Mike Locksley's Maryland Firing
- Yahoo Sports college football: With Mike Locksley gone, what’s next for Maryland football?
- Yahoo Sports college football · Andy Backstrom: Mike Locksley admits he wasn't prepared for NIL, struggled to retain best staffers during Maryland tenure