Case Study: Maryland Terrapins
In a stammering, barbiturate riddled, drunken stupor, Keith Richard’s puzzling grumblings made more sense than the Terrapin’s on-field performance the past few years. The ACC was alleged to become a ‘Super Conference’ with the additions of Boston College, Miami, and Virginia Tech according to media outlets. The subsequent years have been anything but super and Maryland has become one of the many mind boggling enigmas plaguing conference prestige.
After nine seasons removed from Friedgen’s first head coaching and astonishing ACC championship season, the Terrapins concluded the worst record in program history piecing together just two wins. Among the lowly teams that backhanded the Terps in ’09 Virginia (3-9) and Duke (5-7), in addition Maryland broke the golden rule of BCS conference football by nearly getting clipped by James Madison and losing to the Sun Belt’s Middle Tennessee State two years running. Also in 2008, Maryland knocked off Cal only to be pile driven into the turf by Virginia 0-31.
The complete demise of this once ACC contending program is debatable, certainly not as clear cut as night and day or the benefit of purchasing Under Armor promoted by the commercialized Terrapins and big Ralph Friedgen himself. The overall strength of the struggling ACC doesn’t help define that clear distinction of a failing program, nor should one outlying season that stinks so bad it should be flushed down the toilet. However, after some digging and thinking, there are tell tale signs that indicate a program in turmoil.
Ralph Friedgen may not be the illustrious recruiter that is key to the success of a big time BCS conference program. Despite ushering NFL standouts Shawne Merriman and Vernon Davis, Maryland faithful now believes Friedgen is victim of ‘Larry Coker-itis’ having benefitted from his predecessor’s recruiting classes. It’s visibly evident that star power on the Maryland roster has been lacking. Last season the Terps acquired only three of ten four-star and five-star recruits from in-state, including losing the top two to Florida and West Virginia. That number was two of four in 2008, and zero for three in 2007, zero for eight in 2006 all according to Scout. Proof that Maryland used to dominate in-state recruiting dates back to 2002 when the Terps landed seven of the top ten including Mr. Merriman from Upper Marlboro MD.
It’s difficult to maintain respect, leadership, and discipline when your players are competing for… air time on a reality TV show. ‘Terrapins Rising’ provided a behind the scenes look at Maryland football as followed Friedgen and the boys through spring drills, the spring game, and into summer and fall camp. I don’t know how most people feel about reality TV, but I think it produces the most self-absorbed personalities and provides a stage for whiny and/or egotistical development. In not so many words, it ain’t nuttin’ but trouble. How does that first team meeting go? “Welcome to Maryland football. I want you to focus on your goals and give 110%. Oh, by the way, those cameras are filming you for a reality TV show. Say ‘Hello’ to America.” There is not an 18-22 year old kid in the world that’s not going to be fixated on that camera. Consider focus a word of the past.
These two issues are concerning enough to prompt change in the program. Don’t think it hasn’t been discussed. Speculation is that the Maryland administration cannot justify paying Friedgen his $2 million severance when the down trodden economy has caused other financial setbacks. This would be a noble justification to all the other departments currently experiencing budget cuts and layoffs. Much more than banking in on the fact that the revenue from participating in ‘Terrapins Rising’ is enough to cover a trip to the Emerald Bowl followed by the worst football season ever.
Don’t expect to see this program rebound in the near future. Between the megaphone rants from the director’s chair and the growing impatience of the fans, there are way too many distractions to build a solid and fundamentally sound football team. On top of that, Maryland is on verge of being shut out for the second year in a row from their top in-state prospects. If is to have any chance to regain the competitive edge in ACC title races, I don’t think Maryland has time to wait the three years for Friedgen to reach the mature retirement age of 65.
The Terps are a gambler’s nightmare. There is no way to predict what they will do. They show signs of life one week and are humiliated the next. Old Curly Byrd must be spinning in his grave.
Maryland has a long ways to go……