Maryland football coach Mike Locksley has fired Terrapins defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, the program announced Sunday.
“I appreciate Ted’s hard work and dedication to our program during his time in College Park,” Locksley said in a statement. “As I evaluate our program, I believe this change is necessary. We wish Ted all the best moving forward.”
Monachino was in his second season in College Park and brought 16 seasons of experience as a linebackers coach and coordinator in the NFL, working with the likes of Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and others.
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But his professional pedigree didn’t translate to success for Maryland’s defense. The Terrapins have allowed a Big Ten-worst 32 touchdowns this season and give up 366.6 yards per game.
Currently riding a five-game losing streak, Maryland has allowed at least 35 points and 440 yards in each of those losses, the most recent a 37-30 defeat Saturday to Rutgers on homecoming.
Defensive backs coach and current co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will serve as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season. Inside linebackers coach Zac Spavital will assume the role of co-defensive coordinator.
Maryland (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) enters its bye week in a free fall, having not won a conference game in more than a year and is one of only five Power Four teams to not have a win over another Power Four opponent this season.
This year’s start follows back-to-back 4-8 seasons in 2024 and 2025, which continues to crank up the heat on athletic director Jim Smith to move on from Locksley. Smith has made no indications publicly he will do so, despite the Terrapins being 2-20 in their last 22 Big Ten games. Maryland returns to action Oct. 31 at home against Illinois.
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