Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen is entering a farewell tour.
Maybe it’s one more season in College Park for the football boss as the Terps opened camp on Tuesday. The final two years of his deal seem like a longshot because the decade-long Fridge show is nearing cancellation.
After winning 31 games, two bowls, one ACC title and national coach of the year in his first three years, Friedgen has won 36 games over the last six. Maryland had mostly been mediocre before last year’s 2-10 total collapse.
What happened to the magic? How did Friedgen go from savior to scoundrel? It’s all behind the curtain. Losing three key assistant coaches after the successful opening run was more damaging than mediocre recruiting and lackluster quarterback play.
Recruiting coordinator Mike Locksley left after another assistant coach was caught giving money to a potential recruit in 2003. Locksley wasn’t involved, but these scandals often claim anyone near it. Suddenly, Maryland began losing top players to neighboring schools. They’ve never truly recovered from losing Locksley.
Defensive coordinator Gary Blackney retired in 2005 and offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe left in 2006 to eventually return to the Canadian Football League. Both were former head coaches that made tremendous half-time adjustments to steal games.
Friedgen is the boss, but Blackney, Taaffe and Locksley were his aces. He has never effectively replaced them.
ACC expansion didn’t help, either. Maryland is 0-4 vs. Virginia Tech, 1-3 against Boston College and 1-1 vs. Miami since the trio entered the conference. Friedgen always thought a high tide would lift all boats, meaning the Terps would continue their success at a higher national level. Instead, Maryland has proven to be one of the victims of league expansion.
Finally, Friedgen lost his closest ally in athletic director Debbie Yow, who left in June for a similar post at N.C. State. With a new university president also arriving this fall, Friedgen no longer has the automatic support of his two bosses. The new president and athletic director likely will dismiss Friedgen if the Terps suffer another losing season. After all, season tickets sales in expanded Byrd Stadium are the lowest in a decade.
Still, maybe the turnover in school president and athletic director buys Friedgen a final season in 2011 if the Terps win at least five games this year.
“I plan on winning [these] two years,” Friedgen said. “I haven’t put an end line [on my time here], maybe other people have.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
