Ralph Friedgen

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Ralph Friedgen
Friedgen in 2010
Biographical details
Born (1947-04-04) April 4, 1947 (age 77)
Harrison, New York, U.S.
Playing career
1966–1968Maryland
Position(s)
Offensive guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1969–1971Maryland (GA)
1973–1976The Citadel (DL)
1977–1979The Citadel (OC)
1980William & Mary (OC)
1981Murray State (OC)
1982–1986Maryland (OC/OL)
1987–1991Georgia Tech (OC/QB)
1992–1993San Diego Chargers (RGC/TE)
1994–1996San Diego Chargers (OC)
1997–2000Georgia Tech (OC/QB)
2001–2010Maryland
2014Rutgers (OC)
2015Rutgers (special assistant)
Head coaching record
Overall75–50
Bowls5–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1
ACC Coach of the Year
(2001, 2010)

Ralph Harry Friedgen (born April 4, 1947) is a former American football coach. He was most recently the special assistant coach for Rutgers in 2015 after serving as their offensive coordinator in the 2014 season. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland, College Park from 2000 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League (NFL) with the San Diego Chargers.

Early life and education

Friedgen was born on April 4, 1947, in

William and Mary, and Murray State. Joining him on many of these coaching stops was Frank Beamer, who later served as head coach at Virginia Tech
.

Assistant coaching career

Friedgen returned to the University of Maryland in 1982 to serve as

Yellow Jackets were co-champions of the ACC, defeated Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, and ended the season ranked among the nation's top 10 teams. In 1999, he was the winner and awarded the Frank Broyles
Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. Friedgen brought 32 years of assistant coaching experience (including 21 years as an offensive coordinator either in college or the NFL) with him upon his return to College Park.

Head coaching career

In November 2000, Friedgen was named the head coach of the University of Maryland football team. He was charged with rebuilding a struggling program that had only one winning season and no bowl game appearances since 1990.

2001 season

Main article: 2001 Maryland Terrapins football team

Friedgen's tenure opened against

Walter Camp Coach of the Year
.

Throughout the year, Friedgen had challenged his players with the phrase "Are you in or are you out?" After the dramatic first-year turnaround, he was a high-profile candidate for an NFL position, and his players repeated his question. He remained at Maryland and said, "Last year the kids made a commitment to me and I realized it was my turn. We've got plenty left to do. This program has not yet arrived."[8]

2002 season

Main article: 2002 Maryland Terrapins football team

Friedgen's second year began with a 1–2 record, and he implored his team to consider it the start of a "new season". Maryland then won nine of its remaining ten regular season games, including a come-from-behind homecoming victory against the Philip Rivers-led 15th-ranked NC State team. Sports Illustrated credited a "stifling defense", dynamic special teams play, and an offense that thrived under quarterback Scott McBrien and a simplified playbook despite the loss of leading rusher Bruce Perry to injury.[9] Maryland ended the season with a 30–3 victory over Tennessee in the 2002 Peach Bowl, the school's first bowl victory since the Cherry Bowl in 1985. The team achieved a final record of 11–3, matching the school record for wins in a season first set by the 1976 team.

2003 season

Main article: 2003 Maryland Terrapins football team

In 2003, the Terrapins finished with a 10–3 record, including a 41–7 victory over rival West Virginia in the 2004 Gator Bowl. The University of Maryland football team became one of five programs nationally to reach the ten-win plateau from 2001 to 2003, and Friedgen became the first coach in ACC history to win ten or more games in his first three seasons as a head coach.

2004 season

Main article: 2004 Maryland Terrapins football team

The 2004 season was the first disappointment of Friedgen's tenure, and the team failed to qualify for a bowl game. Highlights included, on October 30, an upset of fifth-ranked Florida State to take away the first-ever Maryland win in that series, as well as the first defeat of a top-five team since 1982. On November 27, a 13–7 win over Wake Forest gave Friedgen his 36th win as head coach, which made him the winningest fourth-year coach in conference history.

2005 season

Main article: 2005 Maryland Terrapins football team

The 2005 season again saw Maryland fail to qualify for a bowl game. Friedgen's team started out with a 4–2 start, but a lack of offensive efficiency and a propensity for unforced turnovers—both of which may be attributed in part to an injury sustained by quarterback Sam Hollenbach—caused the team to win only one of its last five games to finish with a 5–6 record for a second consecutive season. The 2005 season did see the first Crab Bowl Classic game since 1965.

2006 season

Main article: 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team

After two losing seasons, Friedgen led a Maryland resurgence in 2006 and ended speculation on his job security.

Champs Sports Bowl to give Friedgen his 50th win as Maryland's head coach. Friedgen's 50 wins in six seasons ties him with former North Carolina head coach Dick Crum for the second most wins by a sixth-year coach in the ACC (former Clemson head coach Danny Ford
holds the record with 52 wins in his first six seasons.)

2007 season

Main article: 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team

The 2007 season saw Maryland defeat tenth-ranked

Illinois
as the only teams to accomplish this feat in 2007. A 37–0 shutout of NC State allowed the Terrapins to qualify for postseason play for the fifth time in Friedgen's seven seasons.

On December 28, Maryland played

Emerald Bowl
and scored on the first drive. The Terrapins eventually lost, 21–14.

2008 season

Main article: 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team

Maryland entered the 2008 season with 30 senior players, the largest class since Friedgen took over as head coach in 2001.[11][12] Despite the experienced team, expectations were low and the ACC's preseason poll projected Maryland to finish fifth among the six teams in the Atlantic Division.[13] At the end of summer training, and amidst some controversy, senior Jordan Steffy was named the starting quarterback over junior Chris Turner who had finished the 2007 campaign atop the depth chart.[14]

In the season-opener, Maryland used all three of its quarterbacks to edge Division I FCS Delaware, 14–7.[15] The following week, the Terrapins were beaten decisively by Middle Tennessee State, 24–14,[16] and some pundits predicted Friedgen was on the coaching "hot seat" and that his job was in peril.[17][18] Maryland rebounded to record wins against four Top-25 ranked opponents. In week twelve, the Terrapins possessed a 7–3 record and were ranked first in the Atlantic Division with two regular season games remaining. Maryland lost both, however, and the team's standing fell.[19] The Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, selected the Terrapins to play the Western Athletic Conference's number-two team, Nevada. In an offensive shoot-out against the nation's number-five offensive team, Maryland triumphed with a final result of 42–35.[20] The Terrapins posted an 8–5 (4–4 ACC) record and Friedgen extended his postseason tally to 4–2, with twice as many bowl wins as any other coach in school history.

2009 season

Main article: 2009 Maryland Terrapins football team

The Terrapins finished the season 2–10, with narrow victories against the

offensive line play were cited as causes for the poor season.[21]

Friedgen's job security was questioned,[22] but with a $1.75 million salary, there was some question as to whether the University of Maryland could afford to buy out his remaining contract.[23] According to contracts, Friedgen was to retire after the 2011 season and James Franklin would have become the new head coach.[22] The Baltimore Sun chronicled fans frustrations with Friedgen, his staff, and the arrangement with Franklin.[24]

In November 2009,

Maryland Gridiron Network booster groups.[26] Two former Terp basketball players and prominent members of the State University system, Len Elmore and Tom McMillen, expressed doubt that public funds would be used to buy out Friedgen's contract, and boosters of the program said they knew of no effort to raise private funds for that purpose.[27]

On December 1, 2009, Maryland announced Friedgen would return for the 2010 season.[28]

2010 season

Main article: 2010 Maryland Terrapins football team
Friedgen and his team take the field in the 2010 Military Bowl

Maryland went 8–4 during the regular season.[29] For the turnaround, the Atlantic Coast Conference named Friedgen the ACC Coach of the Year.[30]

After Maryland won seven of its first 10 games, questions about Friedgen's job security diminished.[31][32] On November 19, 2010, Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson announced that Friedgen would return for the 2011 season, the final year of his contract.[33] Despite this announcement, after offensive coordinator James Franklin accepted a job at Vanderbilt and offered positions to four other members of the staff,[34] Anderson did not answer questions about Friedgen's future on December 17.[35]

On December 18, 2010, it was reported in The Washington Post that the school was terminating him as head coach and offered a buyout of his remaining contract valued at $2,000,000.[36] On December 20, 2010, athletic director Kevin Anderson made an official announcement that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season.[37] In an interview with WNST radio in Baltimore, Friedgen said he was so angry over the firing that he burned his Maryland diploma and was "flying a Georgia Tech flag right now," though he later clarified that he was joking and had not actually burned his diploma.[38][39][40]

Personal life

Friedgen has been married to his wife Gloria (née Spina) since 1973. They have three daughters.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Maryland Terrapins (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2001–2010)
2001 Maryland 10–2 7–1 1st L Orange† 10 11
2002 Maryland 11–3 6–2 T–2nd W Peach 13 13
2003 Maryland 10–3 6–2 2nd W Gator 20 17
2004 Maryland 5–6 3–5 T–8th
2005 Maryland 5–6 3–5 T–4th (Atlantic)
2006 Maryland 9–4 5–3 T–2nd (Atlantic) W Champs Sports
2007 Maryland 6–7 3–5 T–5th (Atlantic) L Emerald
2008 Maryland 8–5 4–4 T–3rd (Atlantic) W Humanitarian
2009 Maryland 2–10 1–7 6th (Atlantic)
2010 Maryland 9–4 5–3 T–2nd (Atlantic) W Military 24 23
Maryland: 75–50 43–37
Total: 75–50
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
  • †Indicates BCS bowl.
  • #Rankings from final Coaches Poll.
  • °Rankings from final
    AP Poll
    .

References

  1. ^ 2010 Fordham Football Media Guide Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), "All-Time Roster", p. 113, Fordham University, 2010.
  2. ^ Lords Of Discipline; From Maryland to Missouri, from Northwestern to Alabama, a new wave of hard-line coaches is laying down the law, Sports Illustrated, October 22, 2001.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Ben Weber, You can go home again! It took Ralph Friedgen 32 years to become the head coach at his alma mater, and only one year to start making history!, Coach and Athletic Director, September 2002.
  4. ^ "Phi Delta Theta Fraternity - Washington, DC Alumni Club - Chapters". Archived from the original on November 18, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "Player Bio: Ralph Friedgen". umterps.cstv.com. Maryland Terrapins. Archived from the original on February 8, 2006. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  6. ^ North Carolina vs. Maryland, USA Today, September 1, 2001.
  7. ^ Terps Enjoy Opening Victory, The Mount Airy News, September 3, 2001.
  8. ^ Albert Chen, 16 Maryland: Now that everyone is committed to the program, the Terps are ready to prove that last season was no shell game, Sports Illustrated, August 12, 2002.
  9. ^ Daniel G. Habib, College Football, Sports Illustrated, November 25, 2002.
  10. ^ a b FOR ABOUT 7 MILLION REASONS, FRIEDGEN'S JOB NEVER IN DOUBT, The Baltimore Sun, November 26, 2006.
  11. ^ 2008 Maryland Football Roster, National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009.
  12. ^ Patrick Stevens, Terps' seniors seek a proper send off Archived 2009-01-01 at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Times, December 30, 2008.
  13. ^ 2008 ACC Football Preseason Selections Archived 2010-12-31 at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic Coast Conference, July 21, 2008.
  14. ^ Direct from Franklin Archived 2008-08-22 at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Times, August 18, 2008.
  15. ^ Delaware vs. Maryland Complete Play-by-Play, ESPN, August 30, 2008.
  16. ^ Craddock, Middle Tennessee surprise Maryland, ESPN, September 6, 2008.
  17. ^ Friedgen off the hot seat?, The Washington Post, September 13, 2008.
  18. ^ Could Friedgen really be on the hot seat? Archived 2012-02-15 at the Wayback Machine, Rivals.com, August 19, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009.
  19. ^ Another Flutie makes key play to carry BC into ACC Championship, ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  20. ^ Scott benched early, then leads Maryland past Nevada Archived 2009-02-20 at the Wayback Machine, ESPN, Associated Press, December 30, 2008.
  21. ^ Stevens, Patrick (November 28, 2009). "Breaking down why Terrapins broke down". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  22. ^ a b Terps relish chance to right the ship, The Washington Post, November 5, 2009.
  23. ^ Maryland Football Sinking, The Washington Times, October 26, 2009.
  24. ^ Barker, Jeff (November 1, 2009). "Terps fans restless over coach-in-waiting". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  25. ^ a b Prisbell, Eric; Steve Yanda (November 22, 2009). "Sources: Friedgen buyout a possibility". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  26. Baltimore Sun
    . Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  27. ^ Barker, Jeff (November 24, 2009). "Buying out Friedgen could be problem, UM officials say". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  28. Newspapers.com
    .
  29. ^ Prisbell, Eric (November 28, 2010). "Maryland football earns 38-31 win over North Carolina State". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  30. ^ Friedgen, O'Brien Honored by the ACC Friedgen earns league's coach of the year award for the second time; O'Brien first-ever Terp rookie of the year Archived 2012-05-15 at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, November 30, 2010.
  31. ^ Feinstein, John (November 2, 2010). "Looks like Friedgen might be sticking around for a while". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  32. ^ Yanda, Steve (November 13, 2010). "Maryland-Virginia has implications beyond this season". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  33. ^ Barker, Jeff (November 18, 2010). "Friedgen returning to Maryland for final year of contract". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  34. ^ Maryland is likely to ask Friedgen to accept buyout, The Washington Post, December 17, 2010.
  35. ^ Schad, Joe (December 17, 2010). "Sources: Ralph Friedgen buyout on tap?". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  36. ^ Prisbel, Eric; Yanda, Steve (December 18, 2010). "Ralph Friedgen out as Maryland football coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  37. ^ Yanda, Steve; Prisbell, Eric (December 20, 2010). "Maryland fires Ralph Friedgen after coach refuses to retire". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  38. ^ Ralph Friedgen still mad about dismissal. ESPN, 2011-09-30.
  39. ^ Prisbell, Eric (October 6, 2011). "Former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen: 'I did not actually burn my diploma. I was only trying to make a joke'". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  40. ^ Prisbell, Eric (October 6, 2011). "Former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen: 'I did not actually burn my diploma. I was only trying to make a joke'". Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2019.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ralph_Friedgen&oldid=1204947185"