Friedgen may be asked to accept buyout, retire

Terrapin football coach Ralph Friedgen reportedly could be asked to accept a buyout and retire in the coming days, according to media reports.

The news surfaced shortly after a Friday afternoon teleconference with reporters in which Athletics Director Kevin Anderson declined to guarantee that Friedgen would return for the 2011 season, the final year of his contract.

"I will sit down and everybody will understand where we're going and how we're moving forward with the program," Anderson said. "At this point in time, I'm not going to answer that question."

Anderson, who last month announced Friedgen would return next year, said an announcement was likely forthcoming early next week.

Offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting James Franklin was officially introduced as Vanderbilt's new coach Friday, a departure that  could save the university the $1 million it would have owed Franklin had he not succeeded Friedgen by January 2012. The school also freed up funds for what could be a possible buyout by accepting an invitation to the Military Bowl at nearby RFK Stadium, again saving the school nearly $1 million in expenses.

In accepting the coaching offer from the Commodores, Franklin likely further destabilized the already tenuous future of the program. At least three Terp assistants reportedly  are contemplating joining Franklin in the SEC. Should any significant defections on the coaching staff materialize, the Terps' current recruiting class would likely be left in shambles as prospects sought out more stable programs.

A number of potential coaching candidates emerged yesterday after news of Friedgen's uncertain future broke. Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who reportedly has a strong relationship with Under Armour founder Kevin Plank -- a university alumnus who sits on this school's board of trustees -- was mentioned prominently in reports by ESPN and The Washington Post. Other candidates reportedly include former Notre Dame coach Tryone Willingham and current New Mexico coach Mike Locksley, a former Terp assistant.

Friedgen is expected to coach the Terps in the team's Military Bowl appearance Dec. 29 against East Carolina, according to Comcast Sportsnet's Chick Hernandez. Running backs coach John Donovan will assume offensive coordinator duties.

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