Ralph Friedgen
Encyclopedia
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland
from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator
at Maryland, Georgia Tech
, and in the National Football League
with the San Diego Chargers
. After the 2010 regular season, it was announced that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season, ending his ten year reign as head coach.
. His father, "Big Ralph" Friedgen, attended Fordham University
, where he played from 1938 to 1939, and coached high school football
for 30 years. The younger Friedgen worked under his father as a water boy and manager, and the two often attended New York Giants
and Jets
games together. He attended Harrison High School
where he played quarterback
on his father's team. John Nugent, the head coach of Harrison's rival Rye High School
, recommended that his brother, Maryland head coach Tom Nugent
, recruit Friedgen. His recruitment was handled by Lee Corso
, then an assistant coach at the school. After his first season at Maryland, Nugent was fired as head coach, and his successor Lou Saban
moved Friedgen to fullback
to fill in for an injured teammate. The following year, Maryland had a new coach, and Bob Ward again changed Friedgen's position, this time to offensive guard, although he had never blocked before. Upset about the constant turnover at head coach and position changes, Friedgen received a favorable recommendation to transfer from coach Ward, but his father said, "You can transfer, but when you get home, the key you have is not going to fit the door because we're changing the lock. Quitters don't live here." He remained at Maryland as a guard and later said the experience taught him a lesson in perseverance. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity. After completion of his bachelor's degree
in physical education
in 1970, Friedgen served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, before later accepting positions on the staffs of The Citadel
, William and Mary
, and Murray State
. Joining him on many of these coaching stops was Frank Beamer
, who is the current coach at Virginia Tech.
under head coach Bobby Ross
, who was his mentor during his stop at The Citadel
. During this time period, he had a hand in the development of quarterback
s Stan Gelbaugh
and Frank Reich
, and most notably Boomer Esiason
. It was also during this time that the University of Maryland football program was a perennial top-20 team, winning three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference
championships from 1983 to 1985 and appearing in prominent bowl games. Following a sub-par 1986 season, and amidst an athletic department quagmire due in large part to the Len Bias
incident, Friedgen followed Ross to Georgia Tech
, a stint lasting four years. In 1990, Georgia Tech went from being unranked in the preseason to achieving an 11-0-1 record and a share of the national championship with Colorado
. In 1992, Friedgen followed Ross once again, this time to the NFL
's San Diego Chargers
, where he orchestrated an offense that led the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX
. In 1997, Friedgen returned to Georgia Tech
, where, as offensive coordinator, he developed the balanced offensive attack (200 yards on the ground, 200 yards through the air) that would become his trademark. During his second year, the Yellow Jackets were co-champions of the ACC, defeated Notre Dame
in the Gator Bowl
, and ended the season ranked among the nation's top 10 teams. In 1999, he was the winner and awarded the Frank Broyles
Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. Friedgen brought 32 years of assistant coaching experience (including 21 years as an offensive coordinator either in college or the NFL) with him upon his return to College Park.
, and early in the first quarter, running back Willie Parker
ran 77 yards for a touchdown. Maryland came back to win, 23–7, which made Friedgen the first Terrapins coach to win his opener since Tom Nugent
in 1959. During the season, Friedgen led Maryland to a surprising 10–2 record, a top 10 national ranking, the first outright Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) title by a team other than Florida State
since the Seminoles entered the league, and an appearance in the 2002 Orange Bowl—the Terrapins' first major bowl bid in more than two decades. Friedgen received numerous "Coach of the Year" plaudits including the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
, the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
, and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year
.
Throughout the year, Friedgen had challenged his players with the phrase "Are you in or are you out?" After the dramatic first-year turnaround, he was a high-profile candidate for an NFL position, and his players repeated his question. He remained at Maryland and said, "Last year the kids made a commitment to me and I realized it was my turn. We've got plenty left to do. This program has not yet arrived."
victory against the Philip Rivers
-led 15th-ranked team. Sports Illustrated credited a "stifling defense", dynamic special teams play, and an offense that thrived under quarterback Scott McBrien
and a simplified playbook despite the loss of leading rusher Bruce Perry
to injury. Maryland ended the season with a 30-3 victory over Tennessee
in the 2002 Peach Bowl
, the school's first bowl victory since the Cherry Bowl
in 1985. The team achieved a final record of 11–3, matching the school record for wins in a season first set by the 1976 team
.
in the 2004 Gator Bowl
. The University of Maryland football team became one of five programs nationally to reach the ten-win plateau from 2001 to 2003, and Friedgen became the first coach in ACC
history to win ten or more games in his first three seasons as a head coach.
to take away the first-ever Maryland win in that series, as well as the first defeat of a top-five team since 1982. On November 27, a 13–7 win over Wake Forest
gave Friedgen his 36th win as head coach, which made him the winningest fourth-year coach in conference history.
—caused the team to win only one of its last five games to finish with a 5–6 record for a second consecutive season. The 2005 season did see the first Crab Bowl Classic game since 1965.
surmised that Friedgen would have repeated as ACC Coach of the Year had it not been for Wake Forest
's impressive season under Jim Grobe
. Maryland qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2003. Despite being outgained by every one of its eleven Division I FBS opponents, the Terrapins started the season 8–2, highlighted by a 28–26 victory over Virginia
in which the team stormed back from a 20–0 halftime deficit to defeat the Cavaliers. Maryland also became the first team since 1985 to defeat both Florida State and Miami
in the same year. The Terrapins defeated Purdue
24–7 in the Champs Sports Bowl
to give Friedgen his 50th win as Maryland's head coach. Friedgen's 50 wins in six seasons ties him with former North Carolina
head coach Dick Crum
for the second most wins by a sixth-year coach in the ACC (former Clemson
head coach Danny Ford
holds the record with 52 wins in his first six seasons.) The team has outscored its last three opponents 95–17 in bowl games.
in the regular-season home finale. This marked the first time in history that the school had beaten two top-10 teams in the same season. Maryland joined Kentucky
, LSU
, and Illinois as the only teams to accomplish this feat in 2007. A 37–0 shutout of NC State allowed the Terrapins to qualify for postseason play for the fifth time in Friedgen's seven seasons.
On December 28, Maryland played Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl
and scored on the first drive. The Terrapins eventually lost, 21–14.
with 30 senior players, the largest class since Friedgen took over as head coach in 2001. Despite the experienced team, expectations were low and the ACC's preseason poll projected Maryland to finish fifth among the six teams in the Atlantic Division. At the end of summer training, and amidst some controversy, senior Jordan Steffy was named the starting quarterback over junior Chris Turner
who had finished the 2007 campaign atop the depth chart
.
In the season-opener, Maryland used all three of its quarterbacks to edge Division I FCS Delaware, 14–7. The following week, the Terrapins were beaten decisively by Middle Tennessee State
, 14–24, and some pundits predicted Friedgen was on the coaching "hot seat" and that his job was in peril. Maryland rebounded to record wins against four Top-25 ranked opponents. In week twelve, the Terrapins possessed a 7–3 record and were ranked first in the Atlantic Division with two regular season games remaining. Maryland lost both, however, and the team's standing fell. The Humanitarian Bowl
in Boise, Idaho
selected the Terrapins to play the Western Athletic Conference
's number-two team, Nevada
. In an offensive shoot-out against the nation's number-five offensive team, Maryland triumphed with a final result of 42–35. The Terrapins posted an 8–5 (4–4 ACC) record and Friedgen extended his postseason tally to 4–2, with twice as many bowl wins as any other coach in school history.
and Clemson Tigers
. Turnovers
, a lack of talent, injuries, inexperience, and poor offensive line play were cited as causes for the poor season.
Friedgen's job security was questioned, but with a $1.75 million salary, there was some question as to whether the University of Maryland can afford to buy out his remaining contract. According to contracts, Friedgen was to retire after the 2011 season and James Franklin would have become the new head coach. The Baltimore Sun
chronicled fans frustrations with Friedgen, his staff, and the arrangement with Franklin.
In November 2009, The Washington Post
quoted anonymous sources that a buyout of Friedgen's contract of over $4 million was possible. Friedgen's attorney, Jack Reale, said that neither he nor Friedgen had been approached about a buyout. The article also said that Friedgen "privately resented" the athletic department naming Franklin his successor, due to how it affects other members of the coaching staff. It was also reported that Friedgen has support from the leaders of the Terrapin Club and the Maryland Gridiron Network booster groups. Two former Terp basketball players and prominent members of the State University system, Len Elmore
and Tom McMillen, expressed doubt that public funds would be used to buy out Friedgen's contract, and boosters of the program said they knew of no effort to raise private funds for that purpose.
On December 1, 2009, it was announced Friedgen would return to coach Maryland in 2010.
After Maryland won seven of its first ten games, questions about Friedgen's job security diminished. On November 19, 2010, Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson
announced that Friedgen would be returning for the 2011 season, the final year of his contract. Despite this announcement, after offensive coordinator James Franklin accepted a job at Vanderbilt
and offered positions to four other members of the staff, Anderson did not answer questions about Friedgen's future on December 17.
On December 18, 2010 it was reported in The Washington Post that the school was terminating his tenure as head coach and offered him a buyout of his remaining contract valued at $2,000,000. On December 20, 2010, athletic director Kevin Anderson
made an official announcement that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season. In an interview with WNST
in Baltimore, Friedgen said he was so angry over the firing that he burned his Maryland diploma and now roots mainly for Georgia Tech, though later revoked that statement.
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at Maryland, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, and in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
with the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After the 2010 regular season, it was announced that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season, ending his ten year reign as head coach.
Early life and education
Friedgen was born on April 4, 1947 in Harrison, New YorkHarrison, New York
Harrison is a village and town in Westchester County, New York, United States, located approximately northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.-Establishment:...
. His father, "Big Ralph" Friedgen, attended Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
, where he played from 1938 to 1939, and coached high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
for 30 years. The younger Friedgen worked under his father as a water boy and manager, and the two often attended New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
games together. He attended Harrison High School
Harrison High School (New York)
For schools with a similar name, see Harrison High School.Harrison High School is a public high school located in Harrison, Westchester County, New York. The school is approximately northeast of New York City. It is the only high school operated by the Harrison Central School District...
where he played quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
on his father's team. John Nugent, the head coach of Harrison's rival Rye High School
Rye High School (Rye, New York)
-History:The school is accredited by the New York State Department of Education and the Middle States Association. The school is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 public high schools in the country.-Extracurricular activities:...
, recommended that his brother, Maryland head coach Tom Nugent
Tom Nugent
Thomas N. "Tom" Nugent was an American college football coach and innovator, sportscaster, public relations man. He served as the head football coach at the Virginia Military Institute, Florida State University, and the University of Maryland. His career record was 89–80–3...
, recruit Friedgen. His recruitment was handled by Lee Corso
Lee Corso
Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
, then an assistant coach at the school. After his first season at Maryland, Nugent was fired as head coach, and his successor Lou Saban
Lou Saban
Louis Henry Saban was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference...
moved Friedgen to fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
to fill in for an injured teammate. The following year, Maryland had a new coach, and Bob Ward again changed Friedgen's position, this time to offensive guard, although he had never blocked before. Upset about the constant turnover at head coach and position changes, Friedgen received a favorable recommendation to transfer from coach Ward, but his father said, "You can transfer, but when you get home, the key you have is not going to fit the door because we're changing the lock. Quitters don't live here." He remained at Maryland as a guard and later said the experience taught him a lesson in perseverance. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
Fraternity. After completion of his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
in 1970, Friedgen served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, before later accepting positions on the staffs of The Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
, William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, and Murray State
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
. Joining him on many of these coaching stops was Frank Beamer
Frank Beamer
Frank Beamer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , a position he has held since 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Beamer served as the head coach at Murray State University...
, who is the current coach at Virginia Tech.
Assistant coaching career
Friedgen returned to the University of Maryland in 1982 to serve as offensive coordinatorOffensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
under head coach Bobby Ross
Bobby Ross
Robert Joseph Ross is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at The Citadel , the University of Maryland, College Park , the Georgia Institute of Technology , and the United States Military Academy , compiling a career college football record of 103–101–2...
, who was his mentor during his stop at The Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
. During this time period, he had a hand in the development of quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s Stan Gelbaugh
Stan Gelbaugh
Stanley Morris Gelbaugh is a former professional American football quarterback. Although he played several seasons in the National Football League, he attained his greatest success in the World League of American Football with the London Monarchs, where he was the league's Offensive Most Valuable...
and Frank Reich
Frank Reich
Frank Michael Reich, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and the Detroit Lions. For a time, he had the distinction of having led his team to the biggest comeback victory ever in both the collegiate...
, and most notably Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason is a former American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO...
. It was also during this time that the University of Maryland football program was a perennial top-20 team, winning three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
championships from 1983 to 1985 and appearing in prominent bowl games. Following a sub-par 1986 season, and amidst an athletic department quagmire due in large part to the Len Bias
Len Bias
Leonard Kevin "Len" Bias was a first team All-American college basketball player at the University of Maryland. He was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft on June 17, but died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose...
incident, Friedgen followed Ross to Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
, a stint lasting four years. In 1990, Georgia Tech went from being unranked in the preseason to achieving an 11-0-1 record and a share of the national championship with Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. In 1992, Friedgen followed Ross once again, this time to the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, where he orchestrated an offense that led the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX
Super Bowl XXIX
Super Bowl XXIX was an American football game played on January 29, 1995 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1994 regular season...
. In 1997, Friedgen returned to Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
, where, as offensive coordinator, he developed the balanced offensive attack (200 yards on the ground, 200 yards through the air) that would become his trademark. During his second year, the Yellow Jackets were co-champions of the ACC, defeated Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
, and ended the season ranked among the nation's top 10 teams. In 1999, he was the winner and awarded the Frank Broyles
Frank Broyles
John Franklin Broyles is a former American football player and coach, athletics administrator, and broadcaster. He served as the head football coach the University of Missouri in 1957 and at the University of Arkansas from 1958 to 1976...
Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. Friedgen brought 32 years of assistant coaching experience (including 21 years as an offensive coordinator either in college or the NFL) with him upon his return to College Park.
Head coaching career
In November 2000, Ralph Friedgen was named the Head Coach of the University of Maryland football team. He was charged with rebuilding a struggling program that had only one winning season and no bowl game appearances since 1990.2001 season
Friedgen's tenure opened against North Carolina2001 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
-Coaching staff:-Schedule:-Team Players drafted in the NFL:The following players were selected in the 2002 NFL Draft.-References:...
, and early in the first quarter, running back Willie Parker
Willie Parker
"Fast" Willie Everette Parker Jr. is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina...
ran 77 yards for a touchdown. Maryland came back to win, 23–7, which made Friedgen the first Terrapins coach to win his opener since Tom Nugent
Tom Nugent
Thomas N. "Tom" Nugent was an American college football coach and innovator, sportscaster, public relations man. He served as the head football coach at the Virginia Military Institute, Florida State University, and the University of Maryland. His career record was 89–80–3...
in 1959. During the season, Friedgen led Maryland to a surprising 10–2 record, a top 10 national ranking, the first outright Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) title by a team other than Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
since the Seminoles entered the league, and an appearance in the 2002 Orange Bowl—the Terrapins' first major bowl bid in more than two decades. Friedgen received numerous "Coach of the Year" plaudits including the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award is named for Bobby Dodd, longtime head football coach at Georgia Tech and was...
, the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award is given annually to college football's top head coach. The award for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts. No coach has ever won the award twice.-Winners:...
, and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year
Walter Camp Coach of the Year
The Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football head coach adjudged by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football...
.
Throughout the year, Friedgen had challenged his players with the phrase "Are you in or are you out?" After the dramatic first-year turnaround, he was a high-profile candidate for an NFL position, and his players repeated his question. He remained at Maryland and said, "Last year the kids made a commitment to me and I realized it was my turn. We've got plenty left to do. This program has not yet arrived."
2002 season
Friedgen's second year began with a 1–2 record, and he implored his team to consider it the start of a "new season". Maryland then won nine of its remaining ten regular season games, including a come-from-behind homecomingHomecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
victory against the Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
-led 15th-ranked team. Sports Illustrated credited a "stifling defense", dynamic special teams play, and an offense that thrived under quarterback Scott McBrien
Scott McBrien
Scott McBrien is a former American football quarterback. He played football for several professional and college teams, most notably, the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, and the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:McBrien was born in Rockville, Maryland to Ernie and...
and a simplified playbook despite the loss of leading rusher Bruce Perry
Bruce Perry
Bruce Perry is a former American football running back in the National Football League who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles to make room for veteran quarterback Koy Detmer's return to the team...
to injury. Maryland ended the season with a 30-3 victory over Tennessee
2002 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2002 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2002 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC...
in the 2002 Peach Bowl
2002 Peach Bowl
The 2002 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the Maryland Terrapins and the Tennessee Volunteers.-1st half:Maryland scored first on a 1 yard touchdown run from quarterback Scott McBrien giving Maryland a 7–0 lead. In the second quarter, Maryland cornerback Curome Cox returned an interception...
, the school's first bowl victory since the Cherry Bowl
Cherry Bowl
The Cherry Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played in the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1984 and 1985. The Cherry Bowl is noteworthy as an early attempt to bring a game to chilly Michigan, years before the successful Motor City Bowl...
in 1985. The team achieved a final record of 11–3, matching the school record for wins in a season first set by the 1976 team
1976 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 1976 Maryland Terrapins football team represented University of Maryland in the 1976 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The Terrapins offense scored 294 points while the defense allowed 115 points...
.
2003 season
In 2003, the Terrapins finished with a 10-3 record, including a 41–7 victory over rival West VirginiaWest Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
in the 2004 Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
. The University of Maryland football team became one of five programs nationally to reach the ten-win plateau from 2001 to 2003, and Friedgen became the first coach in ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
history to win ten or more games in his first three seasons as a head coach.
2004 season
The 2004 season was the first disappointment of Friedgen's tenure, and the team failed to qualify for a bowl game. Highlights included, on October 30, an upset of fifth-ranked Florida State2004 Florida State Seminoles football team
-Schedule:-Miami, FL:Originally scheduled for September 6, 2004, the game between Miami and Florida State was postponed due to Hurricane Francis. On September 10, both teams met at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. The Seminoles took the upper hand in the first half with a 45 yard field goal by Xavier...
to take away the first-ever Maryland win in that series, as well as the first defeat of a top-five team since 1982. On November 27, a 13–7 win over Wake Forest
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
gave Friedgen his 36th win as head coach, which made him the winningest fourth-year coach in conference history.
2005 season
The 2005 season again saw Maryland fail to qualify for a bowl game. Friedgen's team started out with a 4–2 start, but a lack of offensive efficiency and a propensity for unforced turnovers—both of which may be attributed in part to an injury sustained by quarterback Sam HollenbachSam Hollenbach
Samuel Hollenbach is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
—caused the team to win only one of its last five games to finish with a 5–6 record for a second consecutive season. The 2005 season did see the first Crab Bowl Classic game since 1965.
2006 season
After two losing seasons, Friedgen led a Maryland resurgence in 2006 and ended speculation on his job security. The Baltimore SunThe Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
surmised that Friedgen would have repeated as ACC Coach of the Year had it not been for Wake Forest
2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium...
's impressive season under Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
. Maryland qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2003. Despite being outgained by every one of its eleven Division I FBS opponents, the Terrapins started the season 8–2, highlighted by a 28–26 victory over Virginia
2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh...
in which the team stormed back from a 20–0 halftime deficit to defeat the Cavaliers. Maryland also became the first team since 1985 to defeat both Florida State and Miami
2006 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2006 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Larry Coker.-Preseason:...
in the same year. The Terrapins defeated Purdue
2006 Purdue Boilermakers football team
The 2006 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Tiller and played its home games at Ross-Ade Stadium...
24–7 in the Champs Sports Bowl
Champs Sports Bowl
The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic...
to give Friedgen his 50th win as Maryland's head coach. Friedgen's 50 wins in six seasons ties him with former North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
head coach Dick Crum
Dick Crum (football coach)
Dick Crum is a former American football player and coach. He served as head coach at Miami University , the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , and Kent State University , compiling a career college football record of 113–77–4...
for the second most wins by a sixth-year coach in the ACC (former Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
head coach Danny Ford
Danny Ford
Danny Lee Ford is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Alabama from 1967 to 1969. He served as the head football coach at Clemson University in South Carolina from 1978 to 1989 and at the University of Arkansas from 1993 to 1997, compiling...
holds the record with 52 wins in his first six seasons.) The team has outscored its last three opponents 95–17 in bowl games.
2007 season
The 2007 season saw Maryland defeat tenth-ranked Rutgers on the road, as well as eighth-ranked Boston CollegeBoston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
in the regular-season home finale. This marked the first time in history that the school had beaten two top-10 teams in the same season. Maryland joined Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, and Illinois as the only teams to accomplish this feat in 2007. A 37–0 shutout of NC State allowed the Terrapins to qualify for postseason play for the fifth time in Friedgen's seven seasons.
On December 28, Maryland played Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl
Emerald Bowl
The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually at 40,800-seat AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, in San Francisco, California, since 2002...
and scored on the first drive. The Terrapins eventually lost, 21–14.
2008 season
Maryland entered the 2008 season2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
with 30 senior players, the largest class since Friedgen took over as head coach in 2001. Despite the experienced team, expectations were low and the ACC's preseason poll projected Maryland to finish fifth among the six teams in the Atlantic Division. At the end of summer training, and amidst some controversy, senior Jordan Steffy was named the starting quarterback over junior Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
who had finished the 2007 campaign atop the depth chart
Depth chart
In sports, a depth chart is used to show the placements of the starting players and the secondary players. Generally a starting player will be listed first or on top while a back-up will be listed below...
.
In the season-opener, Maryland used all three of its quarterbacks to edge Division I FCS Delaware, 14–7. The following week, the Terrapins were beaten decisively by Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represents Middle Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FBS football competition. The Blue Raiders, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.Rick Stockstill has...
, 14–24, and some pundits predicted Friedgen was on the coaching "hot seat" and that his job was in peril. Maryland rebounded to record wins against four Top-25 ranked opponents. In week twelve, the Terrapins possessed a 7–3 record and were ranked first in the Atlantic Division with two regular season games remaining. Maryland lost both, however, and the team's standing fell. The Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
selected the Terrapins to play the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
's number-two team, Nevada
2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Nevada competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference .The team was led by...
. In an offensive shoot-out against the nation's number-five offensive team, Maryland triumphed with a final result of 42–35. The Terrapins posted an 8–5 (4–4 ACC) record and Friedgen extended his postseason tally to 4–2, with twice as many bowl wins as any other coach in school history.
2009 season
The Terrapins finished the season 2–10, with narrow victories against the James Madison DukesJames Madison Dukes football
The James Madison Dukes football team, founded in 1972, plays at Bridgeforth Stadium. Originally called JMU Stadium, it was renamed for William E. Bridgeforth in 1990. The JMU football team was rarely the centerpiece of JMU sports until the hiring of Mickey Matthews in 1999...
and Clemson Tigers
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. Turnovers
Turnover (football)
In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball loses possession of the ball, which is then gained by the other team. The two events that are officially classified as "turnovers" are fumbles or interceptions In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball...
, a lack of talent, injuries, inexperience, and poor offensive line play were cited as causes for the poor season.
Friedgen's job security was questioned, but with a $1.75 million salary, there was some question as to whether the University of Maryland can afford to buy out his remaining contract. According to contracts, Friedgen was to retire after the 2011 season and James Franklin would have become the new head coach. The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
chronicled fans frustrations with Friedgen, his staff, and the arrangement with Franklin.
In November 2009, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
quoted anonymous sources that a buyout of Friedgen's contract of over $4 million was possible. Friedgen's attorney, Jack Reale, said that neither he nor Friedgen had been approached about a buyout. The article also said that Friedgen "privately resented" the athletic department naming Franklin his successor, due to how it affects other members of the coaching staff. It was also reported that Friedgen has support from the leaders of the Terrapin Club and the Maryland Gridiron Network booster groups. Two former Terp basketball players and prominent members of the State University system, Len Elmore
Len Elmore
Leonard J. "Len" Elmore is an American sportscaster, lawyer and former National Basketball Association player....
and Tom McMillen, expressed doubt that public funds would be used to buy out Friedgen's contract, and boosters of the program said they knew of no effort to raise private funds for that purpose.
On December 1, 2009, it was announced Friedgen would return to coach Maryland in 2010.
2010 season
Maryland went 8–4 during the regular season. For the turnaround, the Atlantic Coast Conference named Friedgen the ACC Coach of the Year.After Maryland won seven of its first ten games, questions about Friedgen's job security diminished. On November 19, 2010, Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson
Kevin Anderson (athletic director)
Kevin Anderson is an American university sports administrator. Anderson is currently the athletic director for the Maryland Terrapins Division I sports program of the University of Maryland located in College Park, Maryland.- Early life and education :...
announced that Friedgen would be returning for the 2011 season, the final year of his contract. Despite this announcement, after offensive coordinator James Franklin accepted a job at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
and offered positions to four other members of the staff, Anderson did not answer questions about Friedgen's future on December 17.
On December 18, 2010 it was reported in The Washington Post that the school was terminating his tenure as head coach and offered him a buyout of his remaining contract valued at $2,000,000. On December 20, 2010, athletic director Kevin Anderson
Kevin Anderson (athletic director)
Kevin Anderson is an American university sports administrator. Anderson is currently the athletic director for the Maryland Terrapins Division I sports program of the University of Maryland located in College Park, Maryland.- Early life and education :...
made an official announcement that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season. In an interview with WNST
WNST
WNST is a sports radio station located in Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. It is owned and operated by local sports media personality Nestor Aparicio through Nasty 1570 Sports, LLC....
in Baltimore, Friedgen said he was so angry over the firing that he burned his Maryland diploma and now roots mainly for Georgia Tech, though later revoked that statement.
Coaching tree
While at Maryland, Friedgen had many assistants continue their coaching careers elsewhere. Three of these individuals have received head coaching positions themselves and are denoted below in boldface.- James Franklin – Current VanderbiltVanderbilt Commodores footballThe Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
head coach. Franklin was one of two Ron VanderlindenRon VanderlindenRon Vanderlinden is an American college football coach. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Penn State University. Vanderlinden previously served as the head coach at the University of Maryland from 1997 to 2000....
assistants retained when Friedgen took over in 2001. He was Maryland wide receivers coachWide receivers coachA wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
from 2000 to 2004 and offensive coordinator from 2008 to 2010. - Mike LocksleyMike LocksleyMike Locksley is an American football coach. After serving as an assistant coach for several college football squads, he became the 29th head coach of the University of New Mexico Lobos football team in 2009...
– Former New Mexico head coach. Locksley was one of two Ron VanderlindenRon VanderlindenRon Vanderlinden is an American college football coach. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Penn State University. Vanderlinden previously served as the head coach at the University of Maryland from 1997 to 2000....
assistants retained when Friedgen took over in 2001. He served as Maryland's running backs coachRunning backs coachA running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator....
from 1997 to 2002. The last two seasons were under Friedgen, during which time Locksley also served as the recruiting coordinator. - Charlie TaaffeCharlie TaaffeCharlie Taaffe is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator for the UCF Knights. Taaffe's coaching career stretches back to 1973, when he was an offensive coach for the University at Albany...
– Current UCF offensive coordinator. From 2007 to 2008, he was the head coach for the Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-CatsThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. Charlie Taaffe served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Ralph Friedgen from 2001 to 2005. In his first campaign with the Terrapins, he helped guide the program to the 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and a spot on the FedEx Orange Bowl. In each of his first two seasons at Maryland, the Terrapins broke their school record for scoring, registering 390 points in 2001 and then 451 points the following year. Maryland played in three bowl games during Taaffe's tenure, recording victories in the 2002 Peach Bowl2002 Peach BowlThe 2002 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the Maryland Terrapins and the Tennessee Volunteers.-1st half:Maryland scored first on a 1 yard touchdown run from quarterback Scott McBrien giving Maryland a 7–0 lead. In the second quarter, Maryland cornerback Curome Cox returned an interception...
over Tennessee and the 2004 Gator Bowl2004 Gator BowlThe 2004 Gator Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on 1 January 2004...
versus West Virginia. Under Taaffe's tutelage, quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Scott McBrien both garnered All-ACC honors. - Bill O'BrienBill O'Brien (American football)Bill O'Brien is currently American football offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.-Playing career:After graduating from St...
– Current New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
offensive assistant coach and quarterbacks coachQuarterbacks coachA quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff....
on Head Coach Bill Belichick's staff. Bill O'Brien served 14 seasons as an assistant coach at the collegiate level, including four seasons as an offensive coordinator. He coached in the Atlantic Coast Conference for 12 seasons, including tenures at Maryland (2003–04), Georgia Tech (1995–2002) and Duke (2005–06). He served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Duke University for two seasons prior to leaving Maryland. He served as Ralph Friedgen's running backs coach from 2003 to 2004. In his first season with the Terrapins in 2003, Maryland finished second in the ACC in rushing and defeated West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. - Gary BlackneyGary Blackney-External links:* *...
– Was UCF's defensive backs coachDefensive backs coachA defensive backs coach or secondary coach is a coach in charge of the safeties and cornerbacks in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL and college football programs. Some common titles are: safeties coach, cornerbacks coach, secondary coach, secondary/safeties coach,...
before retiring. Blackney served as Maryland's defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2005. - Bryan Bossard - Current offensive coordinator for BucknellBucknell Bison footballThe Bucknell Bison football team represents Bucknell University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League...
. Bossard served as the Terrapins Wide Receivers coach from 2005 to 2007. - Chris CoshChris CoshChris Cosh , is an American football coach and currently holds the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Kansas State University...
– Current Kansas StateKansas State Wildcats footballThe Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
co-defensive coordinator. Cosh was the Maryland defensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008. - Kasey Dunn – Current Southern Miss wide receivers coach. Kasey Dunn left Maryland to become the running backs coach for the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
under Jim MoraJim L. MoraJames Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....
. In 2007, he became the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/wide receivers coach at Baylor after spending three seasons at the University of Arizona from 2004 to 2006. Dunn briefly served as Friedgen's wide receivers coachWide receivers coachA wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
for six weeks before the 2008 season.