Maryland has hired former Texas A&M, Houston and Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin as its new associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Sumlin, 58, was the head coach and general manager of the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in 2022.
Sumlin comes to College Park with a long track record as a coach at the FBS level, including three conference coach of the year awards. He led Texas A&M during its transition to the SEC with legendary college quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. The Aggies posted an 11-2 record and No. 5 ranking in the final AP Top 25.
Notably, Sumlin also coached former Houston quarterback Case Keenum to being the top passer in the history of college football. He was part of Bob Stoops' offensive staff from 2003-07 as tight ends coach and later co-offensive coordinator. Sumlin has a 95-63 record in 13 seasons as a head coach, including an 86-43 mark at Texas A&M and Houston. It's unclear how much play-calling power Sumlin will have under Terps head coach Mike Locksley.
"Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our staff and I couldn't be more thrilled that he's joining our program," said Locksley. "My relationship with Kevin goes back over 25 years. He has a tremendous football mind, along with a proven track record of developing players and winning at the highest levels. I'm excited to welcome him and his family to College Park."
The tight ends coach role is a position Sumlin has had in the past. He held the title at Oklahoma from 2003-05, which included BCS Championship Game appearances in 2003 and 2004. However, none of his tight ends finished with 100 or more yards in any season during his final 11 seasons as a college head coach. With that said, the tight end position has evolved into more of a hybrid position over the last decade, which fits in with Sumlin's style not only as an "Air Raid" guru, but as a coach with plenty of experience as a dedicated wide receivers coach during the majority of his time in the business.
This will be the first time that Locksley and Sumlin will work together on a college football staff.