Sun chronicled fans frustrations with Friedgen, his staff, and the arrangement with Franklin. In November 2009, The Washington Post quoted anonymous sources that a buyout of Friedgen's contract of over $4 million was possible. Friedgen's attorney, Jack Reale, said that neither he nor Friedgen had been approached about a buyout. The article also said that Friedgen "privately resented" the athletic department naming Franklin his successor, due to how it affects other members of the coaching staff. It was also reported that Friedgen had support from the leaders of the Terrapin Club and the Maryland Gridiron Network booster groups. Two former Terp basketball players and prominent members of the State University system, Len Elmore and Tom McMillen, expressed doubt that public funds would be used to buy out Friedgen's contract, and boosters of the program said they knew of no effort to raise private funds for that purpose. On December 1, 2009, it was announced Friedgen would return to coach Maryland in 2010. 2010 season Maryland went 8–4 during the regular season. For the turnaround, the Atlantic Coast Conference named Friedgen the ACC Coach of the Year. After Maryland won seven of its first ten games, questions about Friedgen's job security diminished. On November 19, 2010, Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson announced that Friedgen would be returning for the 2011 season, the final year of his contract. Despite this announcement, after offensive coordinator James Franklin accepted a job at Vanderbilt and offered positions to four other members of the staff, Anderson did not answer questions about Friedgen's future on December 17. On December 18, 2010, it was reported in The Washington Post'' that the school was terminating him as head coach and had offered him a buyout of his remaining contract valued at $2,000,000. On December 20, 2010, athletic director Kevin Anderson made an official announcement that Friedgen would not be returning for the 2011 season. In an interview with WNST radio in Baltimore, Friedgen said he was so angry over the firing that he burned his Maryland diploma and was "flying a Georgia Tech flag right now," though he later clarified that he was joking and had not actually burned his diploma. Personal life Friedgen has been married to his wife Gloria (née Spina) since 1973. They have three daughters. Head coaching record References 1947 births Living people American football offensive guards The Citadel Bulldogs football coaches Georgia Tech Yellow