COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Ralph Friedgen doesn’t sound like a coach who’s worried about losing his job.
Friedgen is suffering through his worst season at Maryland (2-9, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). He has not been assured of completing the final two years on a contract that pays him $2 million annually, but the 62-year-old Maryland grad is already talking with confidence about turning things around next season.
Asked Tuesday at his weekly news conference what he would tell fans concerned about the state of the program, Friedgen said, “I would say keep the faith because we’ve got a lot of guys coming back and I believe in this team very much. They’ve got a lot to look forward to, because we’re going to grow from this experience.
“I think the future is pretty bright. ... We took our lumps this year, but we won’t be taking our lumps next year.”
Athletic director Debbie Yow says she will evaluate the coach and the program soon after Saturday’s season finale against Boston College. Yow has yet to issue a vote of confidence to Friedgen, now in his ninth season as head coach at Maryland.
Friedgen won the ACC title in 2001, and his 66 wins (against 45 losses) is more than the Terrapins had in the 15 years before his arrival. Maryland went to bowl games in six of his first eight seasons, winning four of them.
But this year has been a disaster, mainly because of inexperience (the Terrapins have only 14 seniors) and injuries (including quarterback Chris Turner, running back Da’Rel Scott and defensive back Nolan Carroll). Even punter Travis Baltz has missed time with a sprained ankle and broken finger.
Last February, the school signed an agreement that would enable offensive coordinator James Franklin to inherit the head coaching job after the 2011 season. If Friedgen is not retained after this year, it is unclear if Franklin would immediately step in.
Asked if the uncertainty surrounding his job status has become a distraction to the players, Friedgen said, “I’m not going to get into that. That is what it is. I told them (Monday) night to focus on what we can control, and what we can control is preparing for Boston College. So that’s what we’re doing.”
But dismissing Friedgen’s plight has not been easy for a team mired in a six-game losing streak.
“I feel bad for him, just knowing all the talk that’s going on,” junior linebacker Alex Wujciak said. “It’s unfair. We should just wait until the end of the season and see what happens. But it’s the nature of the business. It’s performance based, and obviously our performance hasn’t been as successful as the school wants. We’ve got to put that all aside and focus on the last game.”
Friedgen doesn’t intend to enter Byrd Stadium on Saturday with a wistful attitude.
“I go out and try to win every game,” he said. “I’ll always be that way.”
