Jets Turn Heads With Strange Interview of 32-Year College Football Coach

Maryland head football coach Mike Locksley reacting in the middle of an NFL game.

This might not be the most popular interview candidate the New York Jets speak with this coaching cycle.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Jets are “spending a portion of today” interviewing Maryland head football coach Mike Locksley for their vacant head coach role.

“NYJ’s expansive search has left no stone unturned, taking a look at a leader and culture-setter in college,” Rapoport added on social media.

Sources: The #Jets are spending a portion of today interviewing #Maryland HC Mike Locksley, as the former #Bama OC and current Terps coach gets his another NFL interview.

NYJ’s expansive search has left no stone unturned, taking a look at a leader and culture-setter in college.

Locksley’s Resume Does Not Stand Out

This is the most off-the-wall interview the Jets are set to conduct in 2025.

Locksley has been exclusively a college football coach for the last 32 years. He has been a head coach at two different places including New Mexico and most recently at Maryland where he currently works.

During his tenure, Locksley has a 35-67 record. This past season he finished 4-8 with the Terrapins.

“Yeah, that is a surprising one. That is not a name that I’ve heard before on the circuit but that speaks to your point about no stone unturned. I think they’re [the Jets] another organization like the Cowboys that needs a leader at that head coach spot more than – like I’m not saying Ben Johnson wouldn’t be a great hire if they did it or something like that but they need a leader. They need someone who can re-establish the structure in that organization similar to Dallas they need somebody who can be the figurehead of it and who knows how to control everything instead of all the nonsense we normally hear from the Jets,” Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus told me on “The Manchild Show with Boy Green.”

Maryland Insider Ahmed Ghafir said on social media that, “Mike Locksley was also linked to the Bears weeks ago and interviewed for Miami’s head coaching job prior to Mike McDaniel’s hire.”

This Would be a Strange Pivot For NYJ

I’d like to preface my commentary by saying the Jets shouldn’t overlook anyone. They have gotten so much wrong for so long that they owe it to themselves and their fans to explore all options.

With that being said, this Locksley conversation is bizarre.

He has never been at the NFL level. Locksley is 30 games below .500 as a head coach at the college football level. He is coming off of one of his worst seasons in 2024.

It’s unclear what exactly they see in the veteran coach. That said, this is the first reported dive by the Jets into the college football ranks this cycle as they search for their next head coach.

Jim Harbaugh is a unique example but he left the college ranks last year and turned the Los Angeles Chargers into an instant playoff team. Now he is different because he had prior NFL experience but still.

There have been plenty of great success stories of college football coaches jumping to the next level. In fairness, there have been plenty of failures too.

I’m not sure Locksley is the right guy, but I like the exploration of college football minds. It shows that the Jets have a very open mind during this process which can only be good news.

BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Lions Owner Sheila Ford Hamp Sends Shockwaves with Bold Statement to Former New Orleans Saints Coach, Sparking Speculation and Excitement Across NFL Circles

Detroit Lions Owner Sheila Ford Hamp Sends Shockwaves with Bold Statement to Former New Orleans Saints Coach, Sparking Speculation and Excitement Across NFL Circles

In a surprising turn of events, Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp has made headlines across the NFL with a bold and enigmatic statement directed toward a former New Orleans Saints coach. The statement, which has yet to be fully clarified, has sent shockwaves through NFL circles, igniting speculation among fans, analysts, and insiders alike.

During a recent press conference, Hamp was asked about the Lions’ future plans as the team builds on its recent successes. In response, she delivered a cryptic yet impactful message that seemed to hint at potential collaboration or influence involving a former Saints coach. “The Lions are committed to building a legacy of excellence, and sometimes, inspiration comes from unexpected places—including those who have shaped the game in extraordinary ways,” Hamp said.

While Hamp did not specify who she was referring to, her comment has fueled widespread speculation. Many believe her words could be directed toward Sean Payton, the legendary former head coach of the New Orleans Saints who recently transitioned to the Denver Broncos. Known for his innovative offensive strategies and leadership, Payton’s influence on the league is undeniable. Could the Lions be looking to adopt aspects of his coaching philosophy or even consult with him in some capacity?

Others have suggested the possibility of a connection to Dennis Allen, the Saints’ defensive-minded head coach who succeeded Payton. The Lions, who have shown marked improvement on both sides of the ball, could be eyeing Allen’s defensive schemes as a model for their own strategies.

Adding to the intrigue, Hamp’s statement comes at a time when the Lions are emerging as serious contenders in the NFC. Under the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell—himself a former Saints assistant—the team has shown resilience and determination, earning respect across the league. Campbell’s ties to the Saints organization further deepen the mystery surrounding Hamp’s remarks.

The Lions’ recent success has reinvigorated their fanbase, and Hamp’s leadership has been a significant factor in the team’s cultural shift. Her willingness to think outside the box and make bold decisions has drawn praise, and this latest statement reinforces her reputation as a forward-thinking owner.

NFL analysts are now left dissecting Hamp’s words, with some interpreting them as a sign of potential coaching or strategic collaborations. Others view it as a symbolic acknowledgment of the Saints’ impact on the modern NFL.

Regardless of the true intent behind her statement, Hamp’s words have undeniably created a buzz. As the Lions continue their ascent, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this cryptic comment leads to tangible changes or partnerships that could further elevate Detroit’s trajectory.

For now, one thing is clear: Sheila Ford Hamp has once again demonstrated her ability to command attention and steer the narrative, leaving the NFL world eager to see what’s next for the Detroit Lions.

According Multiple Reports from ESPN, New York Jet Edge Rusher Haason REddicks Officially terminates his Contracts and Leaves the Jets Franchise due to…..

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Jets beat writer: Haason Reddick ‘wouldn’t mind going back to Philadelphia’
Reddick requested a trade from the Jets and hasn’t played for them, while Bryce Huff has been invisible for the Eagles as a pass rusher.
During the 2024 offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the New York Jets, and signed Jets free agent Bryce Huff to a three-year deal worth $51 million. It was a swap of edge rushers, even if the two players weren’t technically traded for each other.

The swap hasn’t worked out for either team so far. Reddick held out throughout the entirety of Jets training camp and has missed each of their first three games. Huff has played 80 snaps for the Eagles, and has 1 tackle (0 solo tackles). In the Eagles’ Week 3 win in New Orleans, Huff was relegated to situational pass rusher status, playing just 18 snaps, or 32 percent of the team’s defensive stats. He has been a liability against the run, and invisible as a pass rusher.

A common solution to the lack of an edge rush among many Eagles fans? Bring Reddick back via trade!

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According to Jets beat writer Rich Cimini of ESPN via his “Flight Deck” podcast (the 9/25/24 podcast here), Reddick “wouldn’t mind getting traded back to the Eagles.” Cimini’s words:

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“Bryce Huff, probably one of the more disappointing free agents in the NFL right now, and get this, 77 snaps right now on defense (#JimmyNote: it’s 80, but whatever), only 1 tackle, 0 pressures, 0 quarterback hits, 0 sacks. So essentially, he’s done in 77 snaps (again, 80) what Haason Reddick has done with no snaps, which is nothing. I don’t think that’s an indictment on Huff. I mean, we know he’s a good player, and so I do believe the Jets made a mistake by letting him go. It’s just that he’s not a good fit in the Eagles’ system. And clearly Vic Fangio, their defensive coordinator has not embraced Huff. And so that’s on the Eagles. They screwed up that signing. They’ve taken a good player and they’re misusing him.

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“Could he get traded to the Jets? Let’s put it this way. A little birdie told me that Reddick I don’t think would be opposed to something like that. I think Reddick is so frustrated with the Jets’ situation — of course he did request a trade in August — that he wouldn’t mind going back to Philadelphia. Again, heard it from a little birdie. Take it for what it’s worth. Could that trade happen? Reddick for Huff? Boy, that would be one of the more bizarre trades in NFL history. A lot of things would have to fall into place, which makes it kind of far-fetched, but it’s an interesting situation to look at nonetheless.”

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To begin, yes, it certainly appears that the Eagles made a bad signing when they gave Huff $17 million per year, but the idea that Huff’s poor play “is not an indictment on Huff” is, uh, simply wrong? He has done nothing well.

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Reddick’s reported desire to be traded back to Philly isn’t surprising. At some point he’s going to have to play for the Jets, or his current contract — which, of course, he is unhappy with — wouldn’t expire until after the 2025 season when it is currently scheduled to expire after 2024. There’s a more detailed explainer on his contract situation via CBS’ Joel Corry here. Including the playoffs, Reddick had 30.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in his two seasons with the Eagles. If he has to report without a new contract at some point anyway, his desire to do so with the Eagles rather than the Jets would make sense.

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A trade for Reddick maybe isn’t that crazy, however, should that scenario play out, it almost certainly would not include Huff, as that would result in a substantial amount of dead money on the Eagles’ cap.