Maryland interim head coach Mike Locksley is set to formally interview for the team's permanent head coaching position, according to Roman Stubbs of the Washington Post.
Locksley took over for former head coach Randy Edsall once he was fired in the wake of a loss to Ohio State in early October. Under his watch, the Terrapins were 1-5, but finished the season with a 21-point comeback victory over Rutgers on Saturday.
Locksley has prior head coaching experience, having served previously at New Mexico. After two seasons of finishing 1-11 and an 0-4 start to the 2011 season, he was fired.
Since Edsall's dismissal, Locksley has been a stabilizing force for Maryland. The team has appeared to play with more energy and focus, which was a goal of Locksley's during the interim period.
In the four losses of Edsall's tenure in 2015, the Terrapins lost by an average of just over 27 points per game. Under Locksley -- though they did post that 1-5 record -- the average margin of defeat was trimmed to 12. That is often a sign of effort and the more open, free-flowing offense that Locksley employed.
"I have zero expectations about getting this job," Locksley said in the wake of Edsall's firing in October. "I just want to do the best job I can for the next seven weeks as the leader of the program.
"All that other stuff, it takes care of itself and for me, if we take care of business on the field, if I'm the guy, great, if not, I'm still a Maryland guy. I've always loved and had an affinity for this place and I'll continue to be a big fan, whether I'm here or not."
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Above all else, Locksley is known as an elite recruiter, especially in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. For that reason, the transition to the interim period was made easier because of the coach's personal connection to a number of players on the roster.
Prior to Saturday's game against Rutgers and with the future of the coach uncertain, players voiced their support for Locksley.
"Coach Locks came in and I felt like he just kept things going, you know?" defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson said. "He just let us know it's on us. We wanted to show people like we could salvage the season. I think it was just on us more personally."
"He's definitely done a great job. He's very personable. He's very relatable. He's been making things pretty fun for us. When the ball is snapped, when the game starts you do need to be serious and take care of your business, but he's also helping us understand when you enjoy what you do, maybe it will help you work harder."
