UAB Dismisses Head Coach Trent Dilfer Midway Through Third Season
UAB has officially parted ways with head coach Trent Dilfer, concluding his tenure midway through his third season. The announcement came on Sunday following a disappointing performance that saw him record a 9-21 overall record, including a 2-4 mark this season.
Trent Dilfer’s Record and Challenges
Dilfer’s time at UAB was marred by struggles, with his team failing to secure victories in any of their fifteen road games. In addition, the squad only managed to win five out of 19 conference matchups. Remarkably, 18 of his 21 losses came by double-digit margins, and 12 of those were by 20 points or more.
This season, the team recorded a disappointing loss to Florida Atlantic, further intensifying the calls for change among fans and stakeholders. The school’s athletics director, Mark Ingram, faced scrutiny for retaining Dilfer after a troublesome previous season.
Interim Leadership
In the wake of Dilfer’s dismissal, offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen will step in as the interim head coach. Mortensen brings valuable experience, having spent nine years on the Alabama coaching staff and is the son of former ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen.
UAB’s Football Background
UAB football has a storied history filled with community support, leading to the program’s revival in 2017 after being shuttered from 2015 to 2016. During this revival, former coach Bill Clark achieved significant success, tallying 42 wins between 2017 and 2021, including a notable 11 victories in 2018.
However, after Clark’s departure due to health issues, interim coach Bryant Vincent took the reins in 2022 but was not retained by Ingram, who opted to hire Dilfer instead.
Future Coaching Candidates
As UAB looks forward, several candidates emerge as potential successors for the head coaching position. These include:
- Bryant Vincent (current ULM coach)
- Bill Clark (possible return)
- Ed Orgeron (former LSU head coach)
- Neal Brown (former West Virginia head coach)
- Tyson Helton (Western Kentucky head coach)
- Skip Holtz (Birmingham Stallions head coach)
- Drew Cronic (Navy offensive coordinator)
- Kerwin Bell (Western Carolina head coach)
- Mike Jacobs (Mercer head coach)
- Steve Englehart (Presbyterian head coach)
- Tremaine Jackson (Prairie View A&M head coach)
With no road games until November 1, UAB will surpass a significant milestone without a road win, extending beyond the previous record set during the program’s hiatus. The school now looks to rebuild and regain its footing in college football.
