Maryland just lost their offensive coordinator and former coach-in waiting when James Franklin bolted to become Vanderbilt's coach. Will they also lose their head coach? It would seem hard to believe, considering the school announced that Ralph Friedgen would return, but in a conference call with reporters today, Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson declined to guarantee Friedgen's return.
Via Patrick Stevens of D1Scourse:
Anderson was asked directly if Ralph would definitely be back in 2011. "I'll sit down & everybody will understand where we're going ... w/the program. At this point, I'm not going to answer that question"
That's a really odd answer, considering Anderson said this in a University press release back on November 18.
"Based largely on the improved performance of our team and student-athletes this season, Coach Friedgen will be our head football coach next year," Anderson said.
What could have changed between now and then, besides Franklin leaving? Maybe nothing, but either way, it's an odd answer. All we know is that the two will have a meeting soon and an announcement is expected next week, according to Eric Prisbell of the Washington Post.
If Friedgen does leave, Pete Thamel of the New York Times speculates that the team could go after former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, though that seems like conjecture right now.