Michael Locksley and Greg Schiano, longtime head coaches at Maryland and Rutgers respectively, face increasing pressure as both football programs continue to struggle in the Big Ten Conference. Each leading their teams through challenging seasons, the coaches are running out of time to reverse downward trends that have persisted since their schools joined the conference in 2014.
Maryland enters Saturday’s home game against Rutgers with a 2-4 overall record and 0-3 in Big Ten play. The Terps are currently on a four-game losing streak, including 11 straight conference losses. Rutgers, at 1-4 and 0-2 in the conference, has also faltered recently, dropping four of its last five games—including a 37-21 home defeat against an unranked Massachusetts team. Both programs have struggled significantly in Big Ten play: Maryland holds a 29-76 conference record since joining, while Rutgers is 22-86. When facing ranked Big Ten opponents, Locksley and Schiano are winless in 37 matchups combined.
Despite mounting frustration, both coaches emphasized the importance of treating each game with urgency. Locksley described every game as a "must-win," while Schiano said the limited number of games in a season requires maximum focus on every contest. Neither displayed signs of conceding the current season’s struggles.
Schiano’s earlier tenure from 2001 to 2011 had brought Rutgers a period of unprecedented success, including six bowl games and a peak AP ranking of No. 7 in 2006. That era saw the Scarlet Knights establish themselves nationally after decades of modest results. His return in 2020 initially revived optimism with consecutive seven-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, but the team has since posted a disappointing 6-11 record over its last 17 contests.
Locksley’s most notable achievements with Maryland came between 2021 and 2023, when the Terps compiled a 23-16 record and won three consecutive bowl games—their first sustained run of winning seasons in 20 years. During that stretch, Maryland consistently outperformed Rutgers, though Schiano’s squad has reversed course slightly, winning the last two head-to-head games and tying their series at three wins apiece.
The challenges both programs face are longstanding. Maryland has not reached nine wins in a season since 2010, signaling persistent institutional hurdles. Locksley acknowledged this, citing difficulties beyond his own coaching that hinder sustained success. Schiano also admitted to a recent comprehensive internal evaluation considering whether issues lie in coaching, personnel, or execution, stressing the need for continual adaptation in the evolving college football landscape.
Potential coaching changes carry significant financial implications. Maryland would owe Locksley nearly $9.8 million if he were dismissed without cause, while Rutgers’ buyout for Schiano could reach $18.5 million after the season. Yet, remaining on the current trajectory risks prolonging program stagnation.
Locksley reflected on his tenure as he prepared for Saturday’s matchup, noting the return of many former players to College Park and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead Maryland football across 18 seasons. The looming question is whether both he and Schiano will continue to steer their programs or if new leadership will be sought in pursuit of better results. Their futures—and the direction of Maryland and Rutgers football—remain uncertain as the teams navigate their current seasons.