Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday, a day after the Terrapins blew a halftime lead and lost to Rutgers for a fifth straight defeat. The move comes as coach Mike Locksley faces renewed questions about his own future in College Park.
Monachino was in his second season running Maryland’s defense after a stint at North Carolina. His unit allowed 37 points in Saturday’s home loss to Rutgers, the fifth consecutive game in which Maryland has given up at least 35 points.
The Main Development
Athletic director Damon Evans announced the decision Sunday. “I appreciate Ted’s hard work and dedication to our program during his time in College Park,” Evans said. “As I evaluate our program, I believe this change is necessary. We wish Ted all the best moving forward.”
Co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over as Maryland’s primary defensive coordinator. Inside linebackers coach Zac Spavital moves up to serve alongside him as co-defensive coordinator, keeping the staff shakeup internal rather than bringing in an outside hire.
What It Means For Maryland’s Defense
The numbers behind the decision to fire Monachino are stark. During Maryland’s five-game losing streak, the defense has allowed 43.8 points per game, and the Terrapins currently sit tied for 127th nationally in points allowed and 83rd in yards allowed.
Saturday’s collapse against Rutgers followed a pattern that has defined Maryland’s Big Ten season. The Terrapins led 23-13 at halftime before surrendering 24 unanswered points in the second half. Across their four Big Ten games this year, Maryland has been outscored 92-13 after halftime, a gap that points to a defense unable to hold leads or adjust at the break.
Context: A Mixed Record Under Monachino
Monachino’s résumé includes six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped the franchise win Super Bowl 47, plus two seasons as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator. His final season at Maryland was not without bright spots. Despite the team’s broader struggles in 2025, his defense led the Big Ten with 19 interceptions and ranked second in the conference with 21 takeaways, according to ESPN.
Those takeaway numbers did not translate into wins this fall. Maryland has lost 12 straight Big Ten games dating back to last season and sits 0-4 in conference play and 2-5 overall, according to Yahoo Sports. The loss to Rutgers also marked a reversal in a series Maryland previously controlled, as the Terrapins had won three straight against the Scarlet Knights.
Locksley’s Job Status
The coordinator firing lands squarely on Locksley, whose own tenure is drawing scrutiny. His record at Maryland stands at 39-54 in his eighth season, and he is 10-21 since the start of 2024. In Big Ten play specifically, Locksley’s record sits at 16-47.
Asked after the Rutgers loss what he would want his tenure remembered for if the game turned out to be his last, Locksley did not directly answer the question, according to 247Sports. He did say the entire program will be examined during Maryland’s upcoming off week.
“We’re going to use that time to evaluate every aspect of it,” Locksley said. “Everything’s on the board, from personnel to preparation, execution, decisions, all those things.”
No decision on Locksley’s own status has been announced. The coordinator move is the only confirmed personnel change to date.
What’s Next
Maryland has an open week before hosting Illinois on Oct. 31. That gives Abdul-Rahim and Spavital roughly two weeks to install their approach before the Terrapins return to Big Ten play trying to snap a 12-game conference losing streak.
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