The rough offseason for Maryland continues as it is now being reported that Charles Kelly will turn down the defensive coordinator role with the Terrapins to remain on staff with Tennessee and Jeremy Pruitt.

Kelly is currently the safeties coach on Rocky Top. He previously served as Jimbo Fisher’s defensive coordinator at Florida State before landing in Knoxville. Pruitt and Kelly also crossed paths at FSU in the lone season Pruitt served as a coordinator in Tallahassee.

While Kelly has reportedly been offered the defensive coordinator role at Maryland, FootballScoop is now reporting Kelly had turned that opportunity down and that Maryland is “moving on” in its search for a defensive coordinator.

If this report is accurate, it continues a rough week for new Maryland coach Mike Locksley. The Terrapins were set to hire Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator before Michigan swooped in at the 11th hour and hired the former Alabama receivers coach for the same position in Ann Arbor. Locksley also lost out on the recruitment of graduate transfer Jalen Hurts, as his former Alabama quarterback is headed to Oklahoma.

Last and certainly least, Butch Jones was rumored to be headed to Maryland but that does not appear to be the case. That result may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Locksley and Maryland.

Adding another level of intrigue, if Kelly really has turned down Maryland and plans to remain on Pruitt’s Tennessee staff in 2019, the Vols currently have one too many coaches on staff following the addition of Tee Martin. Martin is currently out on the road recruiting in place of Kelly.

If Kelly is back for good, the question now is which assistant coach plans to leave Tennessee?