On Thursday afternoon, former Maryland head football coach Ralph Friedgen did not pull any punches when asked about his alma mater and former employer. It was reported this morning that Friedgen's wife, Gloria, had spent time with the struggling 1-2 Maryland football team just this week. But judging from this afternoon's interview with WNST in Baltimore, don't expect "The Fridge" to be spending time around College Park any time soon.
Prompted by radio host Glenn Clark, Friedgen unloaded on Maryland:
Clark: Is it tough for you to watch? Have you sat down and watched any Maryland games or is it tough for you to do that. I know you love the kids, but I also know you're a Maryland alum, and it's got to be a little painful.
Friedgen: Well, it's not painful because I watch it for the kids. I could care less about Maryland. I've burned my diploma. I'm flying a Georgia Tech flag right now.
Clark: [laughing] That's hurtful coach. I don't want to hear that. I'm a Maryland alum.
Friedgen: Well, they talk about Maryland pride. They didn't show me a whole lot of Maryland pride, either getting the job or getting fired.
Friedgen was consistently candid and emotional during his tenure, so these remarks are unsurprising coming on the heels of his firing after a season in which he won ACC Coach of the Year. But it's another off-the-field headline the folks around College Park did not need, as their season on-the-field is in dire straits.