Maryland announced the hiring Thursday of former New Mexico coach Mike Locksley as offensive coordinator, then switched its focus to the defense where the evaluation of coach Randy Edsall’s staff may well lead to the team hiring a new defensive coordinator, according to multiple sources.
Under Todd Bradford, Maryland ranked last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in defense, surrendering an average of 34.2 points and 457.2 yards per game.
Bradford, in his first season with the Terps, was a replacement for Don Brown, who had served as defensive coordinator under former coach Ralph Friedgen. Edsall, also in his first season at Maryland, had been impressed enough with Brown that he wanted to retain him.
But Brown left for Connecticut and Bradford – orginally hired from Southern Mississippi as Maryland’s inside linebackers coach – was swiftly promoted to coordinator.
Maryland’s injury-plagued defense suffered its worst moments in the last game. Maryland's season-ending, 56-41 defeat at North Carolina State was particularly painful because the Terps held a 27-point, third-quarter lead.
Maryland began a review of the football program after the season. Several sources said the program – after hiring Locksley to replace Gary Crowton – logically turned its focus to defense, and that Bradford’s job was not safe.
The school was not ready to make an announcement or say that a final decision had been made.
Asked in an interview about Bradford, Edsall said: “Every day we’re evaluating.”