Randy Edsall fired by Maryland
— -- After days of rumors and speculation, Maryland coach Randy Edsall was fired Sunday after the Terrapins' third straight loss by at least three touchdowns.
"We appreciate Randy's tireless commitment to the University of Maryland," athletic director Kevin Anderson said in a statement. "This was a difficult decision, but ultimately this is the best course of action for our football program moving forward."
The move had been anticipated since reports came out last week that Edsall would be removed before the 2016 season. Maryland's lackluster performance created rumblings among many of the alumni and boosters who are being counted on to help fund a new indoor football facility that will cost a projected $155 million to build.
Maryland (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten) has been outscored 122-34 during its three-game losing streak. Including an earlier defeat against Bowling Green, Maryland's four losses have come by an average of four touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley will serve as the interim head coach. Locksley has been with the Terrapins since 2012. He also coached at Maryland from 1997 to 2002.
"Having spent more than a decade with the Maryland football program over the course of his career, I feel Mike is best suited to effectively guide our program through the remainder of the 2015 season," Anderson said.
Locksley, who has a career coaching record of 2-26 from three seasons at New Mexico, is scheduled to speak at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
Maryland has a bye week before facing Penn State in Baltimore on Oct. 24.
Edsall leaves Maryland after going 22-34 there. Maryland was 0-12 against ranked opponents under Edsall, and only two of the 12 games were decided by single digits.
He had praised his players for handling the distractions about the coach's job status well and competing into the second half with top-ranked Ohio State before ultimately falling 49-28 in another lopsided conference loss.
Edsall was in the fifth year of his original six-year, $10 million deal. He received a three-year extension in July, but just $500,000 of the $7.5 million extension was guaranteed.
The 57-year-old Edsall replaced Ralph Friedgen at Maryland after going 74-70 in 12 years at Connecticut.
After becoming the 34th coach in Maryland football history, Edsall immediately instituted a strict regimen of rules at the school -- including the banning of ball caps, do-rags and earrings in the football house. He also ordered that names be removed from the back of game-day jerseys.
He backed off after a difficult first season in which Maryland lost its final eight games and went 1-7 in the ACC.
Although the Terrapins have struggled on the field under Edsall, their performance in the classroom improved dramatically. The football program's Athletic Progress Rate reached an all-time high in 2013-14, and 21 players earned a place on the All-Big Ten Academic Team last year.
Edsall replaced the popular Friedgen after taking Connecticut to the Fiesta Bowl in 2011. That culminated a successful run in which Edsall took the Huskies from the FCS level to FBS. He has the most wins for a head football coach in Connecticut history.
Less than two weeks before hiring Edsall, Anderson said on Dec. 20, 2010: "This was a good football team, and I believe it can be great. So we're going to bring the best person in here to get to that greatness and to sustain it."
Assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach Lyndon Johnson was also fired Sunday.
Information from ESPN staff writers Josh Moyer and Austin Ward and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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