Career Timeline of Mike Locksley: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 3, 2025

Discover the career path of Mike Locksley, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mike Locksley is an American college football coach. He has been the head football coach at the University of Maryland since 2019. Before his tenure at Maryland, Locksley held various coaching positions at other universities, including a stint as the interim head coach at Maryland in 2015. He is known for his recruiting abilities and offensive coaching expertise. His coaching career spans multiple decades, contributing to college football programs across the United States.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1992: Defensive Backs and Special Teams Coach at Towson State

In 1992, Mike Locksley served as defensive backs coach and special teams coach at Towson State.

1993: Defensive Coordinator at Naval Academy Preparatory School

In 1993, Mike Locksley served as defensive coordinator (defensive backs) at Naval Academy Preparatory School.

1994: Defensive Coordinator at Naval Academy Preparatory School

In 1994, Mike Locksley served as defensive coordinator (defensive line) at Naval Academy Preparatory School.

1995: Outside Linebackers Coach at the University of the Pacific

In 1995, Mike Locksley was the outside linebackers coach at the University of the Pacific.

1996: Tight Ends and Split Ends Coach at Army

In 1996, Mike Locksley spent the season coaching tight ends and split ends at Army.

February 1997: Running Backs Coach at the University of Maryland

In February 1997, Mike Locksley became the running backs coach for the University of Maryland under head coach Ron Vanderlinden.

February 1998: Recruiting Coordinator Post

In February 1998, Ron Vanderlinden named Mike Locksley to the additional post of recruiting coordinator, replacing Chris Cosh.

2000: Retained by Maryland

In 2000, after Ron Vanderlinden was fired and Ralph Friedgen was named head coach, Mike Locksley and wide receivers coach James Franklin were the only two assistants to be retained by Maryland.

2001: Best start to a season since 2001

In 2023, Mike Locksley started the season with 5-0 record, the best start to a season since 2001.

February 2003: Running Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Florida

In February 2003, Mike Locksley was named as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Florida under Ron Zook.

January 2005: Offensive Coordinator at Illinois

In January 2005, Mike Locksley was named offensive coordinator at Illinois, pairing with Ron Zook.

2007: Bowl eligible second straight season

In 2022, the team would finish the year with a 8–5 overall record. Mike Locksley was bowl eligible for a second straight season which Maryland had not achieved since the 2007 and 2008 season.

December 9, 2008: Head Coach of the New Mexico Lobos

On December 9, 2008, Mike Locksley was named head coach of the New Mexico Lobos and signed a six-year contract.

2008: Recruiting for Illinois

From 2005 through 2008, Mike Locksley is credited with luring at least nine players from the Washington D.C. area for Illinois.

2008: Bowl eligible second straight season

In 2022, the team would finish the year with a 8–5 overall record. Mike Locksley was bowl eligible for a second straight season which Maryland had not achieved since the 2007 and 2008 season.

2009: Head Coach at the University of New Mexico

In 2009, Mike Locksley became the head football coach at the University of New Mexico.

September 25, 2011: Relieved of Duties at New Mexico

On September 25, 2011, Mike Locksley was relieved of his duties at the University of New Mexico following an 0-4 start. This also occurred after the arrest of a minor for a DWI while driving a car registered to Locksley's son.

December 22, 2011: Return to Maryland as Offensive Coordinator

On December 22, 2011, Mike Locksley returned to the University of Maryland to join Randy Edsall's staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

2011: Dismissal from New Mexico

In 2011, Mike Locksley was dismissed from his head coach position at the University of New Mexico.

October 11, 2015: Named Interim Head Coach at Maryland

On October 11, 2015, Mike Locksley was named interim head coach at Maryland after Randy Edsall was terminated.

2015: Interim Head Coach at Maryland

In 2015, Mike Locksley was named the interim head coach at the University of Maryland after Randy Edsall was relieved of his duties.

March 1, 2016: Joins Alabama Staff as Offensive Analyst

On March 1, 2016, Mike Locksley joined the University of Alabama staff as an offensive analyst.

January 13, 2017: National Championship Win

On January 13, 2017, Mike Locksley helped the Alabama Tide win their 17th national championship.

January 17, 2018: Promoted to Offensive Coordinator

On January 17, 2018, Mike Locksley was promoted to offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama.

December 4, 2018: Named Head Football Coach at Maryland

On December 4, 2018, Mike Locksley was named head football coach at the University of Maryland, becoming the 21st full-time head coach in program history.

December 2018: Return to Maryland as Head Coach

In December 2018, Mike Locksley returned to Maryland as head coach, following the firing of D. J. Durkin.

2019: Head Coach at the University of Maryland

In 2019, Mike Locksley became the head football coach at the University of Maryland, a position he has held since.

2019: First Season as Head Coach

In Mike Locksley's first season as head coach in 2019, Maryland defeated Howard 79-0 and Syracuse 63-20 but finished the season with a 3-9 record.

2021: New Era Pinstripe Bowl win

In 2021, Mike Locksley led the Terps to a 6-6 regular season finish and a victory in the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl over Virginia Tech by a score of 54-10.