Friedgen must replace two coordinators

As the Terrapin football team prepares for the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 30, it will try to overcome the loss of two members of its coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator Chris Cosh was named assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State on Saturday. First-year tight ends and special teams coordinator Danny Pearman is expected to be named to Dabo Swinney's staff at Clemson in the near future. Neither will be on the sidelines when the Terps play Nevada in Boise, Idaho.

Coach Ralph Friedgen could hire a new coach or promote from within the current staff to replace Cosh and Pearman.

But during a teleconference last night, Friedgen said he's still unsure of his next move. The Terp coach said there have been "a lot of inquiries" about the special teams position, and he will gauge interest in both positions in the upcoming days.

"I don't want to rush into anything," said Friedgen, who will be coaching in his sixth bowl game in eight years with the Terps. "It's more important I get the right guy. If I don't think I can, I won't."

The Terp coaching staff will meet today after spending the weekend apart recruiting. Friedgen said eighth-year outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson will probably handle Cosh's duties if a new coach is not hired. He added that it's unlikely a new coordinator could make meaningful changes in time for the bowl.

Despite the problems the Terps will face in the interim replacing the coaches, Friedgen said both moves make sense.

Cosh, who has been maligned in his three seasons with the Terps for the defense's inconsistent play, will be reunited with Wildcat head coach Bill Snyder, for whom he served as linebackers coach in 2004 and 2005. The 69-year old Snyder, who is the school's all-time wins leader, was re-named Kansas State's head coach last month after retiring three seasons ago.

Friedgen called Pearman's move a good decision both professionally and personally. It allows Pearman, who led one of the ACC's stronger special teams units this season, to return to his alma mater and be closer to his family, who did not move to this area.

Cosh and Pearman were unavailable for comment.

For now, the Terps, who go back to the practice field today after having last week off, will be left to fill in the gaps as they go.

"I was an assistant long enough that I know these things happen," Friedgen said. "We've just got to adjust to it."

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