Maryland football tight ends coach Pete Lembo is expected to become Rice’s associate head coach and special teams coordinator, according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman.
If Lembo departs, he would be the second major component of coach DJ Durkin’s staff to leave the program this offseason, joining former Terps offensive coordinator Walt Bell, who took a job at Florida State in January.
In addition to managing tight ends, Lembo served as Maryland’s special teams coordinator for the past two seasons before assistant Matt Barnes took over those responsibilities this offseason.
While Maryland struggled to a 4-8 record last season, Lembo’s special teams unit produced three of the campaign’s biggest highlights. In the Terps’ season opener against Texas, nickel back Antoine Brooks returned a blocked field goal 71 yards for a touchdown. Safety Darnell Savage blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown against Indiana. And against Ohio State, running back Ty Johnson took a kickoff back 100 yards for a score.
