Alabama OC Mike Locksley leaving for Maryland

Alabama offensive co-ordinator Mike Locksley is leaving to become the new head coach at Maryland.

Locksley was given the Broyles Award earlier this week for being the country’s top assistant coach, helping the Crimson Tide to be one of the country’s best offensive teams. His crowning glory may well be on Saturday with Tua Tagovailoa is given the Heisman Award.

“I am thrilled to be returning home and to have the opportunity to lead the Maryland Football program,” Locksley said in a statement. “This has always been a special place for me and my family, and I am honored to take on this role at the state’s flagship institution. Our goal is to create an atmosphere and environment focused on the total development of our student-athletes. Our focus will always be to help them become more successful in all areas of their life through their association with our program.”

Although Locksley – who is expected to be introduced on Thursday – will compete in a division with Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State, he’s seen as one of the best recruiters in the country.

Locksley is expected to help the Crimson Tide’s offense in preparation for their match-up with Oklahoma is what promises to be an entertaining game. Having said that, if I’m Nick Saban, I would let him concentrate on recruiting and one of his 199 assistants take the ‘temporary offensive co-ordinator role’.

Locksley’s only previous experience as head coach was at New Mexico, where he had a 2-26 record between 2009 and 2011 and was once suspended for punching an assistant.

Maryland won’t be looking for such fun and games – particularly after last season when player Jordan McNair tragically died during summer camp, eventually costing DJ Durkin his job.

Locksley is Alabama’s third offensive co-ordinator in 3 years to leave the Tide. Last year Brian Daboll left to be the Buffalo Bills OC and before that Lane Kiffin departed for Florida Atlantic. Amusingly, Daboll hasn’t had a great season with the Bills, and Kiffin’s second year has been nothing short of a disaster.