What started as a fake report about Mike Locksley’s firing at Maryland could now read like a prophecy. An X account earlier claimed the Terrapins had parted ways with Locksley after a disappointing start to the season. The report was quickly dismissed as false, but the mood in College Park has shifted since then. With each loss, the pressure grows louder, and during Maryland’s matchup against Indiana, “fire Locksley” chants echoed from the stands. Now, does this break the head coach’s morale?

It seems not. In the postgame press conference, he addressed the growing speculation surrounding his job security. “We sucked last Saturday. I would have chanted it…But that’s not going to move me, man. I’ve done harder, I’ve been through worse…I know I’m motivated, but not because of them.” Maryland entered the game with the nation’s best turnover margin. But the night changed too fast, turning things awry for Locksley’s boys. Their performance against Curt Cignetti’s squad included five turnovers, including three straight in the third quarter that turned a promising first half into a slope.

Indiana capitalized on Maryland’s mistakes, turning four turnovers into 24 points while dominating the first half 290-86 in total yards. That included a staggering 131-2 advantage on the ground. Locksley and Co.’s lone first-half highlights were an interception that produced just a field goal and a short punt that set up another quick three-and-out. Things then became hot for Locksley. 

So much so that a post started to do the rounds on X. On November 1, Rob Reinhart posted on X, “#BREAKING: Maryland is parting ways with football HC Mike Locksley, per source. I’m told yesterday’s blowout homecoming loss to Indiana was the final factor in the decision.” However, it later turned out to be fake. 

Well, college football analyst Tim Brando did not wait long for the confirmation. Resharing the tweet, he shared how he didn’t buy the firing report. “Makes zero sense to me. Locksley loves that school and this team and its roster was about a year away,” wrote the analyst. 

But that does not mean Locksley is not standing on hot ground. Maryland’s last double-digit-win season was 2003. It has never had more than 10 losses in that span. In case Maryland makes a drastic decision on Locksley, how big will it cost in their pockets?

Mike Locksley’s meager buyout makes his seat hotter

The buyout scene has shifted in college football. Earlier, back in the 1990s, it cost around $500,000. We have seen that when Georgia fired Ray Goff in 1995. Cut to the present, Locksley signed a $12.5 million contract with Maryland in December 2018, which would run through 2023. 

The Terrapins rewarded Locksley for back-to-back winning seasons and a 2021 Pinstripe Bowl victory over Virginia Tech with a hefty raise. In 2022, he signed a $21 million extension to stay in College Park through 2026. Talking about the buyout? It also increased. Earlier, it happened to be “65 percent of the remaining value of the contract.” Even though his salary has increased, it does not provide Locksley with enough security.

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For 2025, Locksley’s salary sits at $6.1 million, with room for bonuses. Still, his comparatively low $13.3 million buyout adds an edge of uncertainty to his future. While a buyout axe looms over Locksley’s head, he got involved in a hoopla with South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer. Things turned ugly in the recruiting race between the two head coaches. 

It heated up with Mike Locksley accusing the South Carolina Gamecocks of paying 5-star Zion Elee for taking a trip. “Why would I be mad for Zion to make five to ten grand to go down to South Carolina? He’s been one of those guys that’s been really loyal to this area, he’s been loyal to me and the program that we’ve created,” came the Terrapins head coach’s blunt take. Shane Beamer counter-attacked, “disappointing to see a fellow coach insinuate something like that.” With Mike Locksley’s seat heating up, could the turbulence start to tarnish Maryland’s image with recruits?