Loss of scholarships prompts some changes
Under new coach Randy Edsall, the Maryland football team will practice on Sundays and use Mondays for academics, the coach said Monday via teleconference. The new regimen is designed to boost the Terrapins’ sagging performance in the classroom.
| Terps notes |
| » Edsall said freshman wideout Nigel King is awaiting the NCAA clearinghouse process and has not been able to practice. |
| » Quarterback Danny O’Brien struggled on the first day, according to Edsall, who also gave the rising redshirt sophomore high marks for his leadership and work in the classroom. |
“Anyone who takes a look at my record, academics is gonna be something that’s very, very important to me and for all these young men to get their degrees,” Edsall said. “We’re gonna hold them accountable.”
On Saturday, the school announced it would be docked three scholarships by the NCAA for failing to meet the minimum requirement, an Athletic Performance Rate of 925, which equates to 50 percent graduation. Maryland’s score was 922 for a four-year period ending in 2009-10.
As a result, the football program will be allotted 82 scholarships in 2011-12. Edsall said he believed that with more vigilance Maryland can quickly reach compliance.
To emphasize the point, Edsall has taken on an academic counseling role.
“I’m the academic liaison, so the young men know that it’s important to them and it’s important to me that they do what they’re supposed to in the classroom,” Edsall said.
Edsall cited new administrators, including president Wallace Loh and athletic director Kevin Anderson, who have made clear their intent to see academic standards improve. New associate AD for academic support Chris Uchacz and assistant AD for football support systems Michael Harris will put academics high on their list of priorities.
