Mike Locksley will remain in his position. MarylandUSA soccer coach in 2026, and the school plans to significantly increase financial support for the program, athletic director Jim Smith told ESPN.
Locksley is in his eighth season with the Terps (4-6), who have lost six straight games. Maryland went 4-8 last season after winning bowl games in three straight seasons, the longest such streak in program history.
Smith told ESPN that retaining key players, including a stellar freshman class, is an important part of the strategy. Smith also said Maryland needs to catch up financially to be competitive with the top teams in the Big Ten.
“We are working to strengthen our support for the NIL for 2026 and beyond and are already making progress next year,” Smith told ESPN. “We are prioritizing squad retention, recruitment and competition in the transfer portal.”
Smith said he informed Locksley and the team on Sunday. He later shared open letter to Terp Nation.
Locksley went 37-47 in eight seasons at Maryland. He went 1-8 in league play last season and is 1-6 this year. According to his contract, firing Locksley would have cost more than $13 million.
As well as an impressive run of cup victories, Locksley has assembled a strong young core in his team. That includes a promising freshman guard. Malik Washington (13 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing) and two productive freshman quarterbacks Sydney Stewart (8.5 TFL) and Zahir Mathis (7.0 TFL).
These players were a key part of a 2025 recruiting class that included seven members of the ESPN 300 and was ranked No. 24 in the country by ESPN.
“We're optimistic about the young talent in our program and where we are in recruiting,” Smith told ESPN.
Smith said the available zero money for Maryland would be significantly more than what Locksley had to work with in 2025.
“Everyone involved in the football program is focused on providing Coach Locksley with the resources to succeed in the Big Ten,” Smith said.
Maryland's decision came shortly after Wisconsin made a similar statement about coach Luke Fickell, whose team is experiencing a second straight losing season.
Maryland started the year 4-0, including a convincing 27-10 win over Wisconsin to open the Big Ten schedule. The Terrapins then lost three straight one-goal games, including blowing a 20–0 third-quarter lead against Washington. Maryland lost Indiana, Rutgers And Illinois in the last three games.
Maryland will play seven home games in 2026, including five Big Ten games at home and a non-conference schedule. Hampton And Virginia Tech home and University of California, Connecticut on the road.
