The NFL head coaching carousel has started. The NFL regular season ended, and as a result, several teams are looking to start fresh with new head coaches. Bill Belichick has been mentioned as someone NFL teams are trying to lure away from college. However, there is another college coach who is in the running for an NFL job — Mike Locksley.
Mike Locksley Is Scheduled To Interview for an NFL Job With the New York Jets
After the news that Belichick is someone NFL teams are recruiting from college, it did not take long for more news to come out about other college coaches interviewing for NFL jobs. On Friday, it was reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport that Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is expected to get an interview for the coaching job with the New York Jets.
Sources: The #Jets are spending a portion of today interviewing #Maryland HC Mike Locksley, as the former #Bama OC and current Terps coach gets his another NFL interview.
NYJ’s expansive search has left no stone unturned, taking a look at a leader and culture-setter in college. pic.twitter.com/N4ziZ1Tv0l
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2025
Locksley, who is the former offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide, is known as someone who can set a culture. However, he has struggled to find success since leaving Alabama. He is coming off a 4-8 season with the Terrapins. Since arriving in Maryland six seasons ago, his teams have not exceeded eight wins in a year.
It would certainly be an interesting decision for the Jets to hire Locksley. Although he is not without credentials, he is far from the most qualified candidate on paper. He has failed to turn the Maryland Terrapins into a winner. Additionally, after two straight eight-win seasons in 2022 and 2023, the team regressed to four wins this season.
This is likely just the Jets being thorough in their coaching search. They have reportedly interviewed several potential coaches. So, an interview with Locksley does not mean he is anywhere close to getting the job.
Another coaching candidate that could be an option for the Jets and NFL teams is Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. He reportedly interviewed for the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears. Unlike Locksley, Campbell has a track record of success.
As the coach of the Iowa State Cycles since 2016, he has led them to winning seasons in all but two years. This past season, they had 11 wins and qualified for the Big 12 Championship Game, losing 45-19 to Arizona State. However, they were able to pull off a big win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.