Subscribe
Follow Us
After many years spent broadcasting in his post-playing days, Trent Dilfer was hired as UAB football head coach for the 2023 season. After two disappointing seasons with the Blazers, the school decided to bring back Dilfer for a third season, per John Talty and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
“UAB head coach Trent Dilfer will return for a third season, sources tell @mzenitz and I for @CBSSports. AD Mark Ingram cited Dilfer's dedication, football IQ and commitment to UAB, among other reasons, behind his decision to retain him for a third season.
“I support Coach Dilfer and the team, and I will do everything I can to help them compete for bowl eligibility and championships in The American and beyond,” Ingram said in a statement.”
UAB football was coming off a 7-6 season in 2022 before Dilfer's 4-8 and 3-9 campaigns over the last two seasons. In 2023, the Blazers moved from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference.
Ingram continued his statement regarding Dilfer's retention.
“The last two seasons have been disappointing, but Coach Dilfer has learned a great deal and has a plan for the future. NIL and the transfer portal make this perhaps the most challenging time in college football history. But I have seen Coach Dilfer's dedication and believe that his football IQ, commitment to UAB, passion for the game, love for student athletes and relentless work ethic will pay off in the near future. For those reasons, Coach Dilfer will continue to be our head coach in 2025.
His efforts to support our players academically have already paid off in notable increases in the team's Academic Progress Rate, and I look forward to seeing his continued efforts turn into wins on the field – which is what we are all working to achieve. This is our collective focus, and we have the strong support of our university leadership, System Office and Board of Trustees. Our institutional support is among the highest of the public institutions in The American, and we will continue to make additional investments to increase competitiveness.”
UAB football must overcome growing pains
Former head coach Bill Clark brought unprecedented success to the Blazers program. In 2018, he led UAB to a Conference USA title, their first after joining the conference nearly two decades earlier. During his seven-year tenure with the school, he held a 49-26 record, but health concerns forced him to retire after the 2021 season.
Since then, the school moved on from interim head coach Bryant Vincent in accepting Dilfer as head coach.
The Blazers have only faced one ranked team over the last two seasons. In 2023, they faced the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and were beaten 49-21.
In 2025, UAB football begins the season against the Alabama State Hornets on Thursday, August 28. Other notable games include nonconference matchups against the Tennessee Volunteers and UConn Huskies.
