Sports · American Football · 3 hrs ago
Maryland fires defensive coordinator Ted Monachino after fifth straight loss
Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday, a day after losing 37-30 to Rutgers.
The Terrapins, the University of Maryland’s football team, have lost five straight and are 2-5 this season.
The defense has struggled throughout the losing run, allowing 219 points in those five games and ranking among the nation’s weakest defenses in points allowed.
Coach Mike Locksley said he believed the change was necessary as he evaluates the program.
Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over defensive play-calling as interim coordinator, while Zac Spavital becomes a co-defensive coordinator.
Locksley’s future at Maryland remains undecided after the team’s poor results in recent seasons.
Maryland has a bye before hosting Illinois on Oct.
31, giving the team a week to prepare under its new defensive leadership.
Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on Sunday after the team’s fifth consecutive loss.
The move followed a 37-30 home loss to Rutgers, in which Maryland allowed 37 points.
Co-defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over as the primary defensive coordinator, while Zac Spavital will become co-defensive coordinator.
Maryland entered its bye week with a 2-5 record and was due to host Illinois on Oct. 31.
Coach Mike Locksley’s future at Maryland remained undecided.
- Who
- Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take over defensive responsibilities.
- What
- Maryland dismissed Monachino after its fifth consecutive loss.
- When
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
- Where
- Maryland, after a home loss to Rutgers.
- Why
- The move followed repeated defensive struggles. Maryland allowed 37 points against Rutgers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maryland lost 37-30 at home to Rutgers, extending its losing streak to five games.
Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino.
Maryland was scheduled to host Illinois after its bye week.
- Maryland record
- 2-5
- Loss streak
- Five consecutive losses
- Rutgers game
- 37-30 home loss
- Interim defensive coordinator
- Aazaar Abdul-Rahim
- Co-defensive coordinator
- Zac Spavital
- Next game
- Illinois at home on Oct. 31
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What people are saying
I appreciate Ted's hard work and dedication to our program during his time in College Park.
As I evaluate our program, I believe this change is necessary.
We wish Ted all the best moving forward.