Ohio State offensive assistant Reilly Jeffers to become TE coach for Trent Dilfer at UAB

After taking over the head coaching position for the UAB Blazers, former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer is beginning to piece together the puzzle known as his coaching staff. On Friday, it was revealed, courtesy of Bruce Feldman, that Ohio State offensive assistant Reilly Jeffers is expected to become the new tight end coach for the Blazers.

Jeffers is a former Florida Atlantic staffer where he worked with the offensive line while being enrolled in the FAU NBA Sports Management Program. In 2020, he spent the season as the tight end coach at Lipscomb Academy under Dilfer, reuniting the two individuals once again.

Dilfer is a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, doing so during the 2000 season in his lone year with the Baltimore Ravens. Overall, he spent 14 seasons in the NFL before moving into a role in the media and eventually coaching.

Dilfer and his expectations at UAB

In four seasons with Lipscomb Academy, Dilfer has gone 38-8, with two consecutive state championship games. The Mustangs will have the opportunity to win another title on Thursday, going up against Christ Presbyterian Academy. Three championships in three years would be impressive for Dilfer.

He would be taking over a UAB program for Bryant Vincent, who has become a favorite of the players. In fact, a letter was sent by the football team to President Ryan Watts, supporting the interim tag being taken off Vincent.

Before Vincent, Bill Clark was in charge and was the long-time head coach. He was originally hired for the 2014 season before UAB shut down the football program. Clark was there in the resurrection in 2017 and went to four bowl games in six seasons.

If Dilfer accepts the UAB job as “expected” and reported by Thamel, he will be taking the Blazers into the American Athletic Conference. They have been in Conference USA since 1999 and will be taking a step up in the Group of Five level.