Following up on one of the more stunning twists the coaching carousel has taken this year, ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad is reporting that Maryland is strongly considering asking head coach Ralph Friedgen to retire and accept a buyout.
A month after firmly committing to Friedgen as his head coach in 2011, athletic director Kevin Anderson refused Friday to reiterate his stance that Friedgen would be back. Anderson added that the Friedgen question would be answered next week.
And, apparently, the next several days will be spent working with Friedgen’s people on the amicable dissolution of a ten-year football marriage. Assistants currently on Friedgen’s staff are reportedly aware of the situation as several of them are prepared to bolt for Vanderbilt, where Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin was today named as the Commodores’ new head coach.
As for potential replacements if this goes down the way it’s being reported, multiple media outlets are reporting that Mike Leach would be the leading contender if there’s a vacancy. A source close to the ex-Texas Tech head coach confirmed to CFT this evening that Leach “would be very interested if that job came open.”
Other potential candidates named by Schad include former Stanford/Washington/Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham and current New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley and wait a minute... Mike Locksley? Mr. 2-22 Walking Lawsuit Assistant Puncher Guy? That Mike Locksley?
Anyway, and somewhat amazingly given the statements in November, it appears that Friedgen’s days in College Park are very numbered.