Friedgen embraces great expectations

GREENSBORO, Ga. — The pressure of heightened expectations after two bowl seasons doesn’t worry Maryland Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen.

His Terps return 15 starters from a team that gave a rising program credibility last season with a 30-3 thrashing of traditional power Tennessee in the Peach Bowl.

But can the Terps continue the two-year rise they have enjoyed since Friedgen rescued a program that was more than a decade in decline? Can they replace departed All-American linebacker E.J. Henderson and All-ACC running back Chris Downs?

And, in the longer term, can the Terps compete in an ACC that will be transformed from an also-ran conference into a national powerhouse with the addition of the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies?

Friedgen spoke with The Washington Times at the ACC Kickoff meetings here yesterday:

Q: You’ve raised expectations after two standout years. Fans are now wondering whether Maryland can go undefeated? Does this team have that potential?

A: I’ve won a national championship (as a Georgia Tech assistant in 1990). I know what it takes. It’s not all talent. Everything has to go right for you. We have more talent this year than we’ve had in the past two years, but we’ve won because we played unselfishly as a team.

The intangibles maximized our potential and we’re going to have to do the same thing this year. Are we making progress? Yes. Am I disappointed people are thinking [of a national championship]? No.

Q: After winning 21 games in two years, does the program still have to prove it’s among the nation’s elite?

A: When I came here, the attitude was ‘We’ll wait to see what you do.’ The apathy was tremendous. I had left in 1986 (as a Maryland assistant to become a Georgia Tech assistant) and we were pretty good in the ‘80s so it was a shock to me that we didn’t have credibility. I expect our program to be a top 20 team annually and one of those years when everything goes your way you have a chance to win it.

Q: How important was beating Tennessee in the Peach Bowl to establishing credibility?

A: Beating Tennessee was a very big step. … I think we’re gaining respect nationally. I know a lot of people have Maryland circled on their schedule.

Story Continues →