Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson made some interesting comments earlier Friday, declining to guarantee that Ralph Friedgen would return in 2011. Now, we might know why. The program is "strongly considering" asking Friedgen to retire and accept a buyout, according to ESPN's Joe Schad.
Maryland is strongly considering asking coach Ralph Friedgen to retire and accept a buyout, according to multiple sources. Maryland is strongly considering asking coach Ralph Friedgen to retire and accept a buyout, according to multiple sources.
Anderson had affirmed that Friedgen would return next year back in November, but went back on that earlier today after offensive coordinator James Franklin bolted to become the head coach at Vanderbilt. According to Schad, he's taken some assistants with him.
At least three Maryland assistant coaches are aware of the likelihood Friedgen will not return for next season and have committed to follow Franklin to Vanderbilt.
Friedgen has been the Terps' head coach since 2001. He's compiled a 74-50 record in his time in Maryland, including an 8-4 mark this year after a 2-10 mark in 2009. It's still not clear whether Friedgen will actually be fired, as Schad's report is speculative, but this is still not good news for Friedgen.
For more, visit Testudo Times.