COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Ralph Friedgen was fired Monday by Maryland, effective after the Military Bowl on Dec. 29.
Friedgen received $2 million to cover the final year of his contract in 2011, while athletic director Kevin Anderson acknowledged that former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is on his preliminary list.
There's been speculation for days about Friedgen's status, and the possibility that Leach could be his successor. Asked about other names on the list, Anderson declined comment.
"Right now there is no leading candidate," he said, adding that no one had been contacted by late Monday afternoon. But Anderson intends to have the position filled by Jan. 4.
During his 10 years at his alma mater, Friedgen went 74-50. After the Terrapins slipped to 2-10 last year, Friedgen guided the team to an 8-4 record, was named Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year for a second time and earned his seventh bowl appearance.
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But that was not enough for Anderson, who decided against negotiating an extension for the 63-year-old coach.
"This was a good football team, and I believe it can be great," Anderson said. "And so we're going to bring the best person in here to get to that greatness and sustain it. That's why the decision has been made at this time."
Extra points
• Boise State's and Utah's players were involved in a minor skirmish Sunday in Las Vegas outside a massage room during a welcome reception for the Las Vegas Bowl. The Idaho Statesman reported that a bout of pushing and shoving broke out, which the bowl's media director said led to some broken dishes.
• Minnesota has added five assistant coaches. The Gophers announced Monday the hiring of assistant head coach and linebackers coach Bill Miller, defensive line coach Jeff Phelps, wide receivers coach Pat Poore, h-backs and tight ends coach Rob Reeves and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski.
• New coach Kevin Wilson is bringing back a familiar name to Indiana football: Mallory. Two weeks after accepting the Hoosiers job, Wilson hired Doug Mallory and Mike Ekeler as co-defensive coordinators. Mallory is the son of former IU coach Bill Mallory, who has the most wins of any coach in school history.
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Preview
• When: 6 p.m. today, ESPN
• Who: Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4)
• Where: St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Line: Louisville by 2
• Series record: Southern Miss leads 18-9-1.
• What's at stake: Louisville is making its first bowl appearance since the 2006 season and needs a win to finish Charlie Strong's first year as coach with a winning record. USM is in a postseason game for the ninth consecutive season.
• Key matchup: USM's offense against a Louisville defense that ranked 11th while limiting opponents to 18.7 points per game. The Golden Eagles have scored 30 or more points in 10 of 12 games.
• Watch for: Louisville's Bilal Powell has rushed for 1,330 yards and 10 TDs; USM's Austin Davis has thrown for 2,898 yards and 18 TDs vs. six INTs.
