COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland and Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart have mutually agreed to part ways. Keith Dudzinski, who has served as the team's inside linebackers coach the past four seasons, has been named Defensive Coordinator.

“We appreciate Brian's contributions to our program over the past three seasons,” Head Coach Randy Edsall said. “Brian played an integral role in developing our student-athletes both on and off the field during his time at Maryland. While overseeing the defense he helped elevate our program to compete in one of the nation's premier conferences. In our conversations, we both felt this was the best course of action for Brian and his family, and the Maryland football program. I wish Brian the best in his future endeavors.”

“I truly enjoyed working with the coaches, student-athletes and administration at the University of Maryland,” Stewart said. “It was an exciting time to be a part of this program, and I will always have great memories and relationships from my time in College Park. After talking with my family and then meeting with Randy, we both agreed that this was best direction moving forward. I would like to thank Randy for the opportunity to coordinate the defense for the past three seasons. I also want to express my appreciation to the defensive staff and players for their hard work and commitment to the football program.”

Dudzinski has over two decades of coaching experience on the collegiate level, including eight seasons as a defensive coordinator. He has served as the inside linebackers coach at the University of Maryland for the past four seasons. Last year, Dudzinski tutored two of the team's top three tacklers in All-Big Ten performer Cole Farrand and L.A. Goree. During his time as defensive coordinator at UMass-Amherst, the Minutemen finished among the top-20 in total defense three times and ranked first nationally in scoring defense in 2005.

“Keith is an accomplished coach who has a strong history as a defensive coordinator prior to his time at the University of Maryland,” Edsall said. “Over the past four seasons, he has been a great asset to our coaching staff in terms of game planning and developing our inside linebackers. Keith has a good rapport with our student-athletes and a great knowledge of our personnel, which will make for a seamless transition for our defensive unit.”

– Maryland –