Biff Poggi Expresses Interest in Vacant Maryland Head Coaching Job

Following the departure of head football coach Mike Locksley, 66-year-old Big Ten Network analyst Biff Poggi has publicly expressed his desire to take over the Maryland program. In a recent interview, Poggi stated, "Yeah, I really would like the job," outlining a comprehensive vision for the Terrapins based on his extensive ties to the Baltimore-Washington region.

Maryland athletic director Jim Smith is currently leading a national search for a permanent replacement after parting ways with Locksley, who compiled an overall record of 39-54 in College Park. The university has appointed co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season while the search gets underway.

Poggi emphasized that a simple coaching change will not resolve the program's underlying challenges. "Don't think you can think, 'Hey, we're just going to hire a new coach, and everything's going to be better.' There have been plenty of coaches there that haven't won," he cautioned. Pointing to successful turnarounds elsewhere in the conference, he remarked, "If Indiana can win, we can win."

A Baltimore native and Gilman School alumnus, Poggi built a prominent local coaching legacy over 19 seasons with the Greyhounds before founding a national powerhouse at St. Frances Academy. His collegiate experience includes serving as associate head coach during Michigan's successful 2021-22 run, a stint as head coach at Charlotte where he went 6-16, and returning to Michigan as interim head coach following Sherrone Moore's dismissal.

Central to Poggi's pitch for Maryland is a substantial financial investment in player compensation. He estimated that the program would require between $25 million and $28 million annually to remain competitive in the modern Big Ten landscape, relying on corporate sponsorships and institutional revenue. As a former hedge fund manager, he asserted that he would leverage his business connections immediately alongside athletic department leadership.

Poggi also outlined an aggressive approach to roster management, stating that he would immediately target local talent through the transfer portal. He suggested he would receive numerous calls from players and agents on his first day if hired. Furthermore, he praised Locksley as a great football coach while maintaining that the job would be "one of the great honors of my lifetime."