Coach Randy Edsall and the Terps open their 2012 season Sept. 1 against William & Mary.
As Randy Edsall’s frustrating first season in College Park nears its conclusion Saturday at N.C. State, the first-year Terrapins football coach’s reflections on his inaugural campaign yesterday weren’t altogether novel or surprising.
Yes, the Terps’ 2-9 record to this point is a disappointment, Edsall acknowledged. No, he said, it shouldn’t be seen as much more than growing pains as he puts his own mark on the program.
For the first time this season, however, he spoke out against critics of his straightlaced expectations for his players.
“I care about these young people,” Edsall said, “and I want them to be successful not only today, not only three years from now, 10 years, 15. I want them to be successful 30, 40 years down the road. If people want to be critical of me and what I stand for, that’s fine.”
The Terps’ on-field product has yet to reflect the transformation Edsall insists is taking place within his locker room.
Still, he said, he has never wavered on his morals.
“I had a parent call me this morning … and ask me about some things about her son,” Edsall said, “She goes, ‘Coach, you just keep doing what you’re doing. I appreciate everything you’re doing for my son.’ That’s the only verification I need. I know what I’m doing is right for these young people.
“I think, unfairly, I have been criticized for that, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.”
This season’s been far from what anybody had envisioned, especially considering the Terps finished 9-4 last year.
But given inherited limits on scholarships and practice time and the team’s plague of injuries this season, Edsall hasn’t had it easy.
“We’ve talked about [the shortened practice time] as a staff,” Edsall said, “and going into the season, I don’t think any of us realized how much of an impact that was going to have, especially when you’re coming into a new situation and you’re installing new systems.
“That was something that probably had a bigger impact than we anticipated.”
MACKALL DONE?
The future of defensive end David Mackall has been up in the air since Edsall announced earlier this month the sophomore would miss the rest of the season after being suspended for a violation of team rules.
Edsall offered a grim update yesterday when asked about the likelihood of Mackall returning to the team next season.
“I don’t think that looks real promising right now,” Edsall said.
A converted linebacker, Mackall started the first seven games of the season at defensive end for the Terps, racking up 30 tackles and three sacks.
FULPER, TYLER OUT
For very different reasons, the Terps will make the trip to Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday without center Bennett Fulper and wide receiver Ronnie Tyler.
Edsall announced yesterday that Fulper’s hamstring injury, which kept him out of uniform for last Saturday’s loss to Wake Forest, is more serious than first thought and will keep him from making the trip. Fulper’s injury is expected to take six to eight weeks to heal, Edsall said.
Tyler, meanwhile, won’t make the trip due to academic problems. This will be the third game this season the senior will have missed while serving a suspension. He also missed two September games after being arrested and charged with second-degree assault Sept. 16.
cwalsh@umdbk.com
