The University of Maryland is moving toward asking coach Ralph Friedgen to retire and accept a buyout early next week, The Washington Post reported Friday.
Kevin Anderson, Maryland’s first-year athletic director, declined to guarantee that Friedgen would return for 2011, the final year of his contract. The refusal to recommit to Friedgen, 63, came just one month after Anderson announced that Friedgen would return in 2011.
Anderson said he expected to make an announcement regarding the program’s future early next week. When asked Friday if Friedgen was guaranteed to return, Anderson paused for a few seconds before saying: “I will sit down and everybody will understand where we are going and how we are moving with the program. At this point in time, I am not going to answer that question.”
If Friedgen stepped down or was fired, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach would emerge as the leading candidate to replace him, according to The Post.
The signs that Friedgen could be on the way out after 10 seasons came on a day when Vanderbilt introduced James Franklin as its new head coach. Franklin, 38, left his position as Maryland’s offensive coordinator 22 months after he was appointed Maryland’s head coach-in-waiting.
After a 2-10 season in 2009 nearly cost him his job, Friedgen orchestrated the second-biggest turnaround in the country this season, leading the Terrapins to an 8-4 record and their seventh bowl appearance during his 10-year tenure. The Terrapins will play East Carolina (6-6) in the Military Bowl on Dec. 29.
Footnotes.
Nevada coach Chris Ault is being recommended for a two-year contract extension through 2013 after posting one of the best seasons (12-1) of his career.
• The college football postseason kicks off today when BYU faces UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl (noon, ESPN), one of three bowl games today that will be followed by 32 more, culminating in the BCS national championship game between Auburn and Oregon on Jan. 10.
