By Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 13, 2006

Charlie Taaffe, an architect of the most successful offense in Maryland football history, has resigned from his position as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the school announced yesterday.

Taaffe's departure comes less than three months after Gary Blackney, the team's defensive coordinator, retired following Maryland's second consecutive losing season. Like Blackney, Taaffe held his position for all five seasons of Coach Ralph Friedgen's tenure at Maryland.

Taaffe issued a statement through the school saying he would explore other coaching opportunities. When Friedgen was asked last night if he wanted Taaffe to return, he said: "Sure. . . . Charlie is a good football coach. Charlie has potential to be a head coach. He's been a head coach in the past and a very successful one, and I think he would like to do that again."

Friedgen, who said he was "a little surprised" by Taaffe's announcement, does not have a timetable on the national search to find a replacement. Friedgen said there is a possibility that he may call the offensive plays in the future.

After three successful seasons, the offense struggled mightily in 2004, when Maryland finished among the nation's worst teams in scoring offense. It improved last season, but the Terps still finished 5-6 and turnovers proved troublesome. Friedgen will hold an open quarterback competition in spring practice; he said incumbent Sam Hollenbach enters as the favorite.

Several quarterbacks who played under Taaffe, including Shaun Hill and Scott McBrien, have praised Taaffe for helping them, through countless film sessions, to better read defenses. The Terps set a school record in 2002 for points in a season (451), and a year later overcame early-season struggles to average 515 yards in their last five games.

"To bring Scott along and Shaun Hill along, I think Charlie did an unbelievable job," Friedgen said. "The last two years we have not been as productive there. But I think Sam will be. . . . We have to stop beating ourselves with turnovers."

Taaffe's statement read in part: "I am proud of our many accomplishments during this period of unprecedented success and I wish the players and staff much success as I explore other coaching opportunities."

Taaffe had success as a head coach at The Citadel from 1987 to 1996 and with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 1999-2000.

When Friedgen was asked in late November whether there was a possibility Taaffe would not be back, Friedgen said: "I don't know that. . . . Charlie wants to be a head coach and I want that for my assistants. If that's what he wants to do, I'll help him any way I can."

Blackney retired after Maryland's season finale, a 20-14 loss at North Carolina State on Nov. 26, although the decision had been in the works for weeks. Blackney said he stepped down to spend more time with his family. Friedgen replaced him with Chris Cosh, a Washington native who served as Maryland's linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator in 1997.

Before Blackney's retirement was announced, Friedgen said he did not anticipate any offseason changes.

"It's a challenge," Friedgen said of replacing two coordinators. "I like the way our defensive staff is working and hopefully I can find someone on offense that can do the same thing."