Mike Locksley buyout: What would Maryland have to pay to fire football coach? - USA Today

The hot seat is getting nuclear hot for Mike Locksley.

Maryland football's struggles continued against UCLA, losing to the Bruins 54-3 on Saturday .The boo birds were already out in the first half for what crowd made it out to SECU Stadium, ending with Maryland's worst loss since 2019.

The loss is just latest low for Maryland as there have been increasing concerns about the direction of the program. Locksley's job security was already getting murkier after back-to-back 4-8 seasons. Now Maryland is 2-2, with two losses before the end of September for the first time since Locksley's first season in 2019.

Going back to last season, the Terrapins have lost 10 of their past 12 games, and things don't look like they're going to get better as Big Ten play begins, and Terp fans are wondering how long it will take until Maryland officially starts the search for a new coach.

"I still have a lot of confidence in myself and the staff to get this thing fixed," Locksley said postgame. "Again, that'll have to be earned. I won't be able to claim it, and I understand why people have to sit and question it. It's gonna be earned. I'm out to earn it. I'm not gonna be able to claim it."

Locksley's buyout at Maryland would amount to $9.2 million if the university fired him without cause on or before Dec. 31, 2026, according to a copy of his contract obtained via USA TODAY Sports.

The Maryland coach receives $6.4 million this season, with pay is split up into $600,000 in base pay and $5.8 million in supplemental compensation.

His contract, which runs through the end of the 2028 season, is set for increased pay with his salary at $6.7 million for 2027 and $7 million for 2028.

If fired, he is owed 65% of his salary.