The coaching carousel has been lame this year in comparison to 2025, when several Power 4 programs made coaching changes by the middle of October. The Big Ten has seen some moves made with coordinators, with Illinois parting ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck on Sept. 27. On Sunday, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley revealed the Terrapins fired defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino amid the team's five-game losing streak, via a statement on UM's website.
Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over defensive coordinator duties with inside linebackers coach Zac Spavital acting as co-defensive coordinator. More news: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More news: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Locksley felt UM needed to make the change after evaluating issues with the 2-5 program. Maryland lost 37-30 to Rutgers on Saturday.
"I appreciate Ted's hard work and dedication to our program during his time in College Park," Locksley said. "As I evaluate our program, I believe this change is necessary. We wish Ted all the best moving forward." Monachino took over as defensive coordinator in 2025.
He was previously a defensive line coach at North Carolina. He has experience coaching in the NFL. Locksley has received heavy criticism for Maryland's play this season.
The Terrapins are 0-4 in Big Ten play, tied with Penn State and Michigan State for last place in the conference. Locksley is 39-54 as head coach of UM. Maryland's defense ranks 105th in the country in total yards allowed, averaging giving up 413.5 yards per game.
Through seven games, UM is ranked 127th in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score an average of 33.3 points per contest. That's a pretty incredible stat given the Terrapins defeated Hampton in a 62-0 shutout in their season opener on Sept. 5 and held UConn to 14 points in a Week 2 win. Maryland has a bye in Week 8 before next getting set to host Illinois on Halloween.
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