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courtesy of ‘Jimmy Morris’

There seems to be a lot of moving going on for some high-profile DC sports figures this weekend. Hot on the heels of news that Gilbert Arenas is on his way to Orlando comes several reports that Maryland head coach (and the 2010 ACC Coach of the Year) Ralph Friedgen is about to be forced out of College Park for former Texas Tech boss Mike Leach.

This is a pretty interesting development, considering that UMD could (should?) have fired the Fridge after the disastrous 2009 season in which the Terps went 2-10. Friedgen had a six game turnaround this year, leading the Terps back to 8-4 and nearly into the ACC Championship. Why the change now? Well, a lot seems to do with former assistant James Franklin taking the head coaching duties at Vanderbilt. He had a clause in his contract that he would be the next coach at Maryland once/if Frieden was canned or retired. With that commitment no longer necessary, Maryland is free to make a move, and with Leach available and buddy-buddy with key Terp boosters, it was a perfect storm.

More news as we get it.

Dave Levy

Dave Levy is a PR guy by day, a media researcher on the side and a self-proclaimed geek. He blogs often about how traditional media adapts – or tries to adapt – to the growing digital media world at State of the Fourth Estate. You can follow Dave on Twitter for various updates about everything from sports from his previous home in Boston to eccentric and obscure pop culture references. Read why Dave loves D.C.