Report: Mike Locksley, Maryland agree to $2.1 million annual pay raise
Maryland coach Mike Locksley has received a contract extension and raise, according to a report from Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.
Locksley is having his salary increased to an average of $6.1 million per year, SI reports. The contract runs through the 2027 season.
The former Alabama assistant was previously making $4 million per year, prior to receiving a new deal on Friday.
Under the terms of the new five-year contract, Locksley will receive $5.5 million this upcoming season and will get a $300,000 increase each year through 2027.
Locksley just completed his fourth season at Maryland, which ended with the Terrapins going 8-5 and winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
He has led Maryland to a winning record each of the past two seasons.
The Terrapins have made steady progress under Locksley’s direction since he took over in 2019.
Maryland had suffered four consecutive losing seasons prior to Locksley taking over.
After going 3-9 and 2-3 in his first two seasons, the Terrapins made a jump to 7-6 in 2021. They earned a win in the Pinstripe Bowl that season, defeating Virginia Tech 54-10.
Maryland followed that up by going 8-5 with a 16-12 win over NC State in this past year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
In addition to winning its share of games, the Terrapins have also been competitive against elite competition recently.
Mike Locksley and the Terps played Michigan to a one-score game in 2022, before falling 34-27.
Maryland also nearly knocked off Big Ten West champ Purdue, before falling 31-29. The Terps led an undefeated Ohio State team 13-10 at the half late in the year but were unable to hold on.
Mike Locksley excited about QB Taulia Tagovailoa
There is hope that Maryland could take another step forward in 2023 with Taulia Tagovailoa back at quarterback.
Locksley believes he could be one of the best QBs in the country this fall.
“You know what, this should be a great year for Taulia Tagovailoa,” Locksley said on Mad Dog Radio. “He’s taken the necessary steps, the maturity that you want to see out of a quarterback. We’ve got a good team around him.
“I think he’ll have a chance to be one of the best, not just in the Big Ten, but in the country. I know he’s hungry to help us and take the next big step for our program and we wouldn’t be where we were today if it wasn’t for Taulia.”