When Ralph Friedgen arrived in College Park, he came with the tag of an offensive mastermind. At first, he didn’t disappoint. After presiding over one of the most successful offenses that year, Sports Illustrated dubbed him an “offensive genius.”

But during that time, he wasn’t the offensive coordinator. In fact, Friedgen said he was “bored to death” during his first three years.

In the past two seasons, the Terps have struggled to 5-6 records, failing to make bowl appearances. The eyes of fans and students fell on the head coach and his offensive reputation.

Now, Friedgen will have his chance to live up to expectations he set for himself six years ago.

In years’ past, Friedgen would ride around the practice fields on his golf cart, supervising the drills. But after offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe resigned in February, Friedgen has taken a more active role in the Terps practice, working closely with the quarterbacks.

Friedgen has been interviewing prospective offensive coordinator candidates, but said he isn’t going to hire someone just for the sake of hiring someone to fill the void. As of now, he’s basically taken over the spot himself.

“Probably I’ll take over that role as offensive coordinator and play-caller,” Friedgen said.

From 1973 until he took his first head coaching job with the Terps, Friedgen worked as an assistant coach. He spent time as the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers from 1994-96 and at Georgia Tech until he took over at the helm of the Terps.

He earned the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach in 1999 while leading the Yellow Jacket offense that compiled 3117 yards and 29 touchdowns and was one of the nation’s top passing attacks.

Friedgen’s history led Athletics Director Debbie Yow to claim her head coach has clearly proven himself.

“A head coach in Division I serving as offensive coordinator is not unique,” Yow said. “It certainly isn’t the norm because of all the duties that go into it. … But given Ralph’s reputation … He’s already done it.”

Friedgen’s first three seasons with the Terps were marked with unprecedented success for a first-time head coach. And while he was responsible for the three straight 10-win seasons, Friedgen also had Taaffe – a former head coach who racked up 55 wins at The Citadel – to help run the offense and manage quarterbacks from Scott McBrien to Sam Hollenbach and Jordan Steffy.

Now it’s Friedgen who spends extra time with the quarterbacks after practice. But the biggest issue lies in the preparation.

While drawing up plans for practice and dealing with issues such as the April 1 suspension of offensive tackle Brandon Nixon and fullback Matt Deese, Friedgen also has to prepare Hollenbach, Steffy and the other Terp quarterbacks while they compete for the starting job.

“I’m probably going to need more help [in practice] because I’ll be pretty focused on calling plays and doing those type of things,” Friedgen said. “It’ll spread me a little thin this spring, because if I’m coaching the quarterbacks, it’s hard for me to see other positions.”

Friedgen said his first season as Terp coach was so successful because players were willing to shed the credit and just win games. At that time, he was learning to shed his coordinator role. Now he’ll have to regain the balance while connecting with all his players as head coach.

Yesterday, when asked by a reporter if he’s ratcheted up his intensity to make that happen, Friedgen laughed.

“I’m just the same old, lovable guy,” he said.

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.