Maryland football hires Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

Maryland soccer introduced the hiring of Josh Gattis as this system’s new offensive coordinator Thursday.

“Josh and I’ve a robust relationship and a confirmed observe file of working collectively to provide a potent offense,” head coach Mike Locksley stated in a launch. “He and I share most of the similar philosophies and it needs to be a really clean transition.”

In the identical launch, Maryland additionally introduced the hiring of Texas State defensive coordinator Zac Spavital because the group’s new safeties coach. Spavital replaces Wes Neighbors, who left to take the identical job at Ole Miss.

Gattis joins Kevin Sumlin, who was lately employed as Maryland’s co-offensive coordinator, affiliate head coach and tight ends coach in February. The duo replaces former offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who left to take the identical place at Arkansas.

Gattis was most lately Miami’s offensive coordinator however was fired in January after the Hurricanes went 5-7, averaging 367.1 yards of complete offense per recreation — barely within the nation’s prime 100 (No. 97).

Earlier than that, Gattis noticed loads of success because the offensive coordinator at Michigan from 2019-21, successful the Broyles Award in 2021 as the highest assistant coach in faculty soccer after serving to lead the Wolverines to a Massive Ten championship and spot within the School Soccer Playoff. Michigan averaged 443.1 yards of complete offense that season, good for Sixteenth-best within the nation.

Locksley and Gattis labored collectively throughout the 2018 season, serving as co-offensive coordinators at Alabama. The 2 have publicly feuded over who deserved credit score for that group’s success, however seem to have buried the hatchet.

Solely 39 years previous, Gattis had a profitable enjoying profession as a security for Wake Forest. Gattis was a first-team All-ACC choice in 2006 and was drafted by the Chicago Bears within the fifth spherical of the 2007 NFL Draft. His skilled enjoying profession didn’t final lengthy, beginning his teaching profession as a graduate assistant underneath Butch Davis-led North Carolina in 2010.

Gattis and Sumlin inherit a gifted Maryland offensive unit, highlighted by the return of All-Massive Ten quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Becoming a member of Tagovailoa within the beginning backfield will likely be Roman Hemby, a rising star who had a breakout 2022 season.

Transfers Kaden Prather (West Virginia) and Tyrese Chambers (Florida Worldwide) headline a receiver corps that’s awaiting official phrase on whether or not Jeshaun Jones will return for a sixth yr; Jones is on the 2023 spring roster however has not launched any public announcement after in-season hypothesis. Tai Felton and Octavian Smith Jr. are additionally shaping as much as be rising stars in Maryland’s wideout room. Maryland’s offensive line, having misplaced 4 of 5 starters, is seen as a query mark however has replenished by the switch portal.