The Jets’ interview process will include at least one meeting with a college coach. The team will speak with Mike Locksley today, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A team announcement has since confirmed the news. 
This marks the first time the Maryland head coach has been connected to an NFL interview. Locksley has been a coach since 1992 when he immediately followed up his playing days by taking a position with his alma mater (Townsend State). He has coached at Maryland three separate times, including the 2015 season when he served as interim head coach. Earlier in his career, Locksley coached New Mexico for two-plus years (posting a 2-26 record).
That was eventually followed by a move to Alabama’s staff as an offensive assistant at first. Locksley then took over as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator before becoming the Crimson Tide’s full-time OC in 2018. He earned the Broyles Award (given to college football’s top assistant) that season before beginning his latest run at Maryland.
The 55-year-old has been guiding the Terrapins since 2019, a stretch which has seen the team post a winning record three times (2021-23). Overall, Locksley’s Maryland record sits at 33-41, a mark which helps explain his lack of interest from NFL teams over the years. He is nevertheless the latest candidate to meet with the Jets, one of six teams in need of a new coach this offseason.
Via PFR’s HC search tracker, here is an updated look at where the Jets’ ongoing search stands:
- Bill Belichick, head coach (North Carolina): Showed interest; meeting never scheduled
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interview requested
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 1/9
- Brian Griese, quarterbacks coach (49ers): Interview requested
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Mike Locksley, head coach (Maryland): Interviewed 1/10
- Josh McCown, quarterbacks coach (Vikings): Interview requested
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed
- Darren Rizzi, interim head coach (Saints): Interview requested
- Rex Ryan, former head coach (Bills): Interviewed 1/7
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interview requested
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach (Jets): To interview
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/3
Unbelievable college head coach for Maryland….said no one ever.
thats bc youve been sleepin
So the Pats interview two minority candidates with no chance to get the job and they are screwing the system, but the jets do it and crickets…..smfh
The Jets are casting a wide net, there’s no obvious favorite, and there are at least five non-white candidates on their list. They’ve also hired non-white head coaches two of the last three times they were hiring. The Patriots just fired their “succession plan” coach about ten seconds after his first season, with such strong implications that they know who their guy is that at least one other candidate turned down a chance to interview.
was waiting for this.
The guy from Robin Hood?
was this an in-person interview?
Where’s Townsend State? Is that north of Ballymoor and south of Cookeysvail?
Because Locksley has been such a successful college coach he gets an interview! Only the Jets lol Even he has to know he has no chance