Maryland coaching candidates: Jake Dickert, Billy Napier among possible options
The University of Maryland has fired head football coach Mike Locksley following a poor start to the 2026 season. The school is now searching for a replacement, with candidates like Jake Dickert and Manny Diaz being considered.
Why it matters
This marks the first major coaching change in the Power Four college football landscape for the 2026 season, signaling potential shifts in program leadership.
Maryland is officially in the market for a new football coach.
The school fired Mike Locksley amid a 39-54 record over seven-plus seasons as the Terrapins' head coach. In a must-win 2026 season, Locksley's program stumbled out to a 2-5 record, including a homecoming loss on Saturday to Rutgers . Maryland will owe Locksley $9.75 million in buyout money after letting him go, sources told CBS Sports.
Maryland is the first Power Four school to fire a coach this season, kicking off what has been a much slower coaching carousel than a year ago.
It'll be Jim Smith's first major hire as Maryland's athletic director after arriving in July 2025. There are other Power Four jobs that could open in the future, including Florida State , but as of Wednesday, Maryland is the best job available.
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