The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Maryland: a football coaching history

National Program III#72 of 138–
See Maryland’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT
Jim Tatum
0 Dynasty · 2 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Jim Tatum
Regional Program IV → Blue Blood (+51.2)
The fall
Thomas Nugent
Power Program II → National Program I (−13.4)
Right now
Mike Locksley
the 10th-best of Maryland's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)ShaughnessyTatumNugentClaiborneRossKrivakDuffnerFriedgenEdsallLocksley19401960198020002020

Every coach

2019–now
Mike Locksleycaretaker
Mike Locksley moved Maryland from Regional Program I to National Program III in 8 seasons.
National Program III
36–44
2018–2018
Matt Canadashort tenure
5–7
2016–2017
D.J. Durkinshort tenure
10–15
2011–2015
Randy Edsallcaretaker
Randy Edsall held Maryland at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
22–34
2001–2010
Ralph Friedgenbuilder
Ralph Friedgen raised Maryland from Regional Program I to National Program I.
+15.1
75–50
1997–2000
Ron Vanderlindencaretaker
Ron Vanderlinden held Maryland at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
15–29
1992–1996
Mark Duffnercaretaker
Mark Duffner held Maryland at National Program II for 5 seasons.
−8.7
20–35
1987–1991
Joe Krivakcaretaker
Joe Krivak slid Maryland from Power Program II to Power Program III in 5 seasons.
−12.7
20–34
1982–1986
Bobby Rosscaretaker
Bobby Ross moved Maryland from Power Program III to Power Program II in 5 seasons.
Power Program II
39–19
1972–1981
Jerry Claibornebuilder
Jerry Claiborne raised Maryland from Regional Program III to Power Program III.
+27.7
77–37
1969–1971
Roy Lestercaretaker
Roy Lester slid Maryland from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
7–25
1967–1968
Robert Wardshort tenure
2–17
1966–1966
Lou Sabanshort tenure
4–6
1959–1965
Thomas Nugentcaretaker
Thomas Nugent held Maryland at Power Program II for 7 seasons.
−13.4
36–34
1956–1958
Tommy Montinheritor
Tommy Mont inherited a Blue Blood Maryland and won with it.
−12.9
11–18
1947–1955
Jim Tatumtransformer
Jim Tatum took Maryland from Regional Program IV to Blue Blood.
+51.2
73–15
1945–1945
Bear Bryantshort tenure
6–2
1943–1944
Clarence Spearsshort tenure
5–12
1942–1946
Clark Shaughnessyshort tenure
10–8
1940–1941
Jack Fabershort tenure
5–11
1936–1939
Frank Dobsoncaretaker
Frank Dobson held Maryland at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
18–21