Friedgen's future uncertain

Mired in the worst of his nine seasons as Terrapin football head coach, Ralph Friedgen has declined to speak on his clouded future.

Several reports indicate the Athletics Department may be looking into the possibility of buying out the two years and reportedly $4 million remaining of Friedgen's contract. "I don't want to get into that," Friedgen said. "I want to keep the focus on Boston College right now."

Citing anonymous sources, The Washington Post reported Friedgen's buyout would not be a financial issue Sunday. But Friedgen's lawyer, Jack Reale, told The Post neither he nor his client have been in discussion with the Athletics Department about a buyout.

Numerous Athletics Department officials declined to comment on the situation. Reale was not reached by phone yesterday. Athletics Director Debbie Yow has repeatedly stated throughout the season she will evaluate Friedgen and the team after the season, as is the process with all sports. She will not comment until then.

Last February, after a controversy surrounding men's basketball coach Gary Williams and Senior Associate Athletics Director Kathleen Worthington, Yow offered Williams her "personal, full support," stating that Williams still had three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, and she would discuss an extension when necessary.

In Friedgen's case, no such support has been lent.

The 62-year-old has taken the Terps (2-9, 1-6 ACC) to six bowl games. But this season is his fourth in six years with a losing record.

This past offseason, Friedgen and Yow named offensive coordinator James Franklin as the program's "coach-in-waiting," set to succeed Friedgen as head coach. Franklin's contract stipulates he will receive $1 million if he is not promoted by 2011. Still, at the time, Friedgen said he was uncertain of when he would retire. The possibility of being fired was not in the discussion.

"I'm going to coach as long as I feel like coaching and as long as it's enjoyable," Friedgen said in February. "James has been such a big part of our success here, and to me, it's kind of an honor and a legacy to have one of your coaches be able to follow you.

At the time, Yow described the move as a measure of "common sense," stressing the program's continuity.

ajoseph@umdbk.com