Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley walks the sidelines during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Maryland Terapins have decided to retain head coach Mike Locksley.

Athletic director Jim Smith told ESPN's Pete Thamel that Locksley will return as their head coach in 2026. He also told Thamel that they will increase their financial support of the program.

"We are working to strengthen our NIL support for 2026 and beyond and have already seen success for next year," Smith told ESPN. "We are prioritizing roster retention, recruiting and competing in the transfer portal."

There has been plenty of speculation about Locksley's job security after they started the season 4-0 but lost their next six games. He is 37-47 in his time as Maryland's head coach, including when he went 1-5 as the interim head coach in 2015.

He had a strong run from 2021-23, going 23-16 and winning three straight bowl games. They have been unable to replicate that success, going 8-14 since. While they have struggled in 2025, they have had several young playmakers emerge

Defensive ends Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis have been two of the best freshmen in the conference and look like the future of the defense. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington has completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,294 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns.

Smith wrote a letter to Maryland's fans about the decision, explaining their goals for the program and what is next for them.

"Our goals remain clear: build a program that competes for Big Ten Championships and earn a place in the College Football Playoff," he said. "Achieving those goals requires consistency, commitment, and alignment at every level. With the support of President Pines, Maryland Athletics is committed to making the necessary investment in our football program to position us to achieve these goals.

"At the conclusion of the season, Coach Locksley, Senior Deputy Athletic Director Diana Sabau, and I will review every aspect of our football program to make sure we are focused on getting the right type of resources in the right places to build a successful football program in this new era of college football.

"I am confident that we have the right foundation in place, the enhanced resources that position us to compete at a higher level in 2026, and a coach who can truly own the DMV. Every decision we've made reflects our belief in this program's potential and its leadership. We are fully committed to getting this right — and making you proud of our football program."

It would have cost Maryland over $13 million to fire Locksley at the end of the season if they had chosen to move on from him. While several power programs, including the UCLA Bruins and Penn State Nittany Lions, have decided to move on from their head coaches, the Terrapins have joined the Wisconsin Badgers by bringing back their head coach and vowing to invest more into the program.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Mike Locksley to return as Maryland's head coach in 2026

Reporting by JD McCarthy, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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