Mike Locksley, head coach of the University of Maryland football team and founder of the National Coalition for Minority Football Coaches, was interviewed by Roy Kessel of the Sports Philanthropy Network at Super Bowl 59’s Radio Row. During the interview, Locksley discussed his efforts to create opportunities for minority football coaches at all levels and the importance of mentorship in coaching. He also shared insights on leadership, his experiences learning from top coaches like Nick Saban, and the evolving challenges in college football.
Mike Locksley
Michael Anthony Locksley is an American college football coach. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Maryland, a position he has held since 2019.
After serving as an assistant coach for several college football squads, he became the head football coach at the University of New Mexico in 2009, returning to Maryland as an offensive coordinator after his dismissal from New Mexico in 2011. In 2015, Locksley was named the interim head coach at Maryland after Randy Edsall was relieved of his duties.[2] Locksley did not return to Maryland after that season, joining the University of Alabama as an offensive analyst. Locksley was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2018 season, and that year received the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach. Locksley returned to Maryland in December 2018 as head coach, following the firing of D. J. Durkin.
NATIONAL COALITION OF MINORITY FOOTBALL COACHES
Football is more than a game; it is a microcosm of life. Football, like life, presents physical and mental challenges – true adversity in some sense – that require innovative strategies, hard work and perseverance. Success rarely occurs without some sacrifice, agony and pain. Even the most talented individuals cannot do it alone; rather, they need the help of a team to reach the proverbial goal line. Paramount to a team’s ability to reach its goals is a coach.
A coach is everything – a teacher, a trainer, a motivator, a cheerleader, a recruiter, a confidant, and, on occasion, even a needed friend or parent. The relationship between coach and player is rooted in an elemental bond borne of a struggle to overcome adversity in the quest for elusive success. That bond is often life altering. A coach, therefore, is not only a cherished position of trust and leadership in the game of life, but also integral to the game on the field – a game enjoyed by hundreds of millions of fans generating billions of dollars in revenues.
Despite the vast numbers of minority football players at all levels, minorities are disproportionately excluded from or limited in coaching opportunities at most levels. The reasons for their exclusion is inextricably interwoven into the societal road blocks that underrepresented individuals frequently face. These roadblocks create an unfortunate imbalance where minorities do not enjoy meaningful participation in available coaching opportunities.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE
– (00:00) Introduction – Roy Kessel welcomes Mike Locksley to Radio Row at Super Bowl 59 and introduces his background as Maryland’s head coach and founder of the National Coalition for Minority Football Coaches (NCMFC).
-(00:27) Purpose at Super Bowl 59 – Locksley explains his role in promoting the NCMFC, emphasizing the importance of developing and supporting football coaches at all levels.
– (01:21) Balancing Coaching Responsibilities – Discusses the challenges of managing a football program, winning games, mentoring young athletes, and helping staff grow professionally.
– (01:49) Personal Coaching Journey – Shares his career path, including past struggles, being fired from New Mexico, and learning from experiences that led to success at Maryland.
– (02:18) Structure of the NCMFC – Explains the coalition’s mission to prepare, promote, and produce minority coaches and its multi-tiered approach covering youth, high school, college, and professional levels.
– (04:11) Mentorship and Influences – Reflects on key mentors, including Nick Saban, Ralph Friedgen, and others who shaped his coaching philosophy.
– (05:09) Navigating Changes in College Football – Discusses the impact of NIL deals and the transfer portal, highlighting how college football has become more business-oriented.
– (06:04) Traits of Successful Coaches – Outlines three key attributes he looks for in assistant coaches: recruiting the right players, developing talent, and effectively managing young athletes.
– (07:27) Reuniting with Former Players – Talks about reconnecting with former Alabama players Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith and the pride of seeing them succeed in the NFL.
– (07:54) Nick Saban’s Leadership Style – Describes Saban’s relentless competitiveness, work ethic, and ability to maintain high standards, which set him apart as a legendary coach.
