Maryland AD addresses disappointing start: 'We're all going to have to be a little patient'

The first week of the B1G season couldn’t have gone any worse for Maryland, as they were handled 43-3 by host Northwestern. If Maryland wants to avoid an 0-2 start, they’ll have to knock off Minnesota in their home opener tonight (6:30 p.m. CST/ESPN).

Maryland AD Damon Evans was highly frustrated by the outcome of Week 1 but is exercising patience with coach Mike Lockley and the team.

Evans shared his thoughts during his One Maryland Address on Thursday:

“Obviously, we are very happy that Big Ten football is back. It is great to see our team back on the field. But let me be clear. Saturday’s performance at Northwestern does not meet the standards we have set for our football program,” Evans said Not even close. I want to win. Our players want to win. Coach Locksley wants to win and I know all of you want to win.”

While Evans understands the ups and downs while a program is in a rebuilding stage, he believes Maryland will assert themselves much better during tonight’s nationally televised contest.

“Right now our No. 1 priority is to get this program right. When we hired coach Locksley, we knew that he would need a few years of recruiting to shape the team, so we’re all going to have to be a little patient. And I will admit that is hard for me because I want to win, and I want to win now. I know the coaches and players got right back to it on Sunday, and I expect us to compete against a very good Minnesota team tomorrow night,” Evans said. “I promise you we are focused on elevating our football program to a place where we are consistently competitive in the Big Ten conference.”

In Locksley’s first season at the helm, Maryland posted a 3-9 record. Maryland hasn’t had a winning record since 2014 and hasn’t posted a double-digit win total since 2003.

It remains to be seen how Maryland will fare this season but having the AD and coach on the same page is an encouraging sign.