Mike Locksley explains why he continued recruiting for Alabama despite becoming Maryland’s new coach
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Mike Locksley wants to finish the job he started at Alabama, even if it comes at the expense of his new team.
The Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, who was hired last month to be Maryland’s next coach, is staying on Nick Saban’s staff through next Monday’s national championship game. He’s also recruiting for Alabama until he departs for his new gig, which means continuing to sell Maryland-area prospects on what Tuscaloosa has to offer.
In a Thursday report from AL.com, Locksley explained why he hasn’t tried to sway any Crimson Tide commits toward the Terrapins.
“To me from an ethical standpoint, I’ve recruited some of these guys and if I didn’t have a chance to recruit them for Maryland … it’s kind of hard to go from telling a kid Alabama is the best thing to, hey, now Maryland is the best thing,” he said in the report. “I thought it was the right thing to do.”
Locksley was the lead recruiter of four Alabama commits from the Maryland area as well 5-star signees Trey Sanders and Evan Neal from Florida’s IMG Academy.
“Some of the guys that were signed at Alabama I was the lead recruiter on, and I think maybe the credibility of me saying I don’t have a dog in the fight now, I’m going to Maryland, but I’m telling you Alabama is still the best situation for you,” Locksley said. “Look what Alabama did for me as a coach so imagine what it could do for you as a player.”
It’s clear Locksley cares about the future of these recruits and is appreciative of his opportunity at Alabama.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
