In the wake of former Maryland football head coach Michael Locksley’s dismissal, interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday, six days after receiving his sudden promotion. 

Maryland athletic director Jim Smith also spoke about Maryland’s head coach search. Linebacker Sidney Stewart and quarterback Malik Washington answered questions. 

This is what Abdul-Rahim, Maryland athletic director Jim Smith, and players said.

Abdul-Rahim’s opening remarks:

“I’m a DC native, proud of it, so it means a little bit more to me standing in front of you as the interim head coach of University of Maryland,” Abdul-Rahim said. 

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re zero and zero right now, and the kids are excited to show you guys a different blend of football,” Abdul-Rahim said.

Maryland’s next head coach:

Abdul-Rahim will be considered as a candidate for Maryland’s next full-time head coaching job, Smith said. 

“Maryland is an incredibly attractive job,” Smith said. “The volume of inbound calls and texts have been enormous. There’s not an agency that represents coaches that hasn’t already reached out with a possible candidate.”

“I’m going to tell everyone here that if this is specifically to our fans, we will get a really good coach,” Smith said.

“We want someone who can embrace Maryland, connect with our community,” Smith said. “Understands the DMV. Understands the importance of the DMV while building a successful program.”

Comments on Michael Locksley’s dismissal:

“I wanted to make sure we weren’t making, I was not making an emotional decision, and we came to the right conclusion for the program when we announced on Wednesday,” Smith said. 

“He was an incredible professional throughout this entire process,” Smith said.

“His main message was just his love for Maryland as a program, and that he kind of understands how the coaching business goes, and that you know he really just wants the best for us going forward,” Stewart said. “That was the main message. So yeah, he definitely did get a chance to speak from the heart.”

“So that you know, I mean, on a player standpoint, that there’s plays where a lot of us wish we could have back and could have executed better, but ultimately, you know, all that falls under him, and that’s the unfortunate word of it. But he knows that.” Stewart said. 

“I’m just glad that you know I can impact coaches like the same way he impacted mine,” Washington said. 

“The way Coach carries himself, it was never like it got to him,” Washington said. 

Abdul-Rahim’s expectations for this season and beyond:

“I don’t see myself as just an interim,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I see myself as someone who is a program builder, and that’s going to allow this program, all right, to take the next steps.”

“We’re gonna keep the main thing the main thing right now,” Abdul-Rahim said when asked about success going forward. “It’s not about wins and losses. And honestly, all of our mind, our mind, body, and soul is about Illinois right now.”

Abdul-Rahim repeatedly said mental toughness and technique are keys for the team the rest of this season. 

“Condensed is probably a keyword that we use,” Abdul-Rahim said. “So a condensed package on offense, a condensed package on defense and special teams. We want guys to play fast.”

Relationships with players and players’ mindset:

“You know, the corner coach don’t really talk to the offensive line too much, so it was more about me meeting. You know, meeting with them.” Abdul-Rahim said. 

“I’m an old high school coach, you know, so meaningful relationships mean something to me,” Abdul-Rahim said when asked about building Maryland’s brotherhood. “Sometimes that is the biggest motivating factor. You know, it’s love. You know, and creating that brotherhood.”

“If we all get behind that same mindset and that same process, then whether you’re trying to play to collect good film or play for money or whatever, at the end of the day, if it puts your best tape out there and allows us to win games, which is what we’re trying to do,” Stewart said. 

Abdul-Rahim, Stewart and Washington said their focus is mainly on the next five games.