Trent Dilfer reveals why he took UAB job, his message to current team ahead of Bahamas Bowl

Trent Dilfer is the new head coach at UAB. Even though interim Bryant Vincent is finishing out the season and coaching the team in the bowl game, Dilfer still went to help get familiar with his new team and program. And during the game, the Bahamas Bowl between UAB and Miami (OH), ESPN caught up with Dilfer for a sideline interview about his future with the program.

First, he explained the pillars of creating a great football program and how it all starts with the administration.

“You know, a few things you need to build a college football program. You need president that’s committed to excellence. He’s gotta wake up thinking about it and go to bed thinking about it. He’s got a huge institution. He wants every department to be excellent. And Dr. Watts is that way.

“Then, an AD that understands the impact of football. It’s not more important than anything. Listen, I had three Division I volleyball player daughters. I don’t want football to be more important. The fact of the matter is it’s more impactful. The donor base has proved it when they brought back football. So it has all the ingredients to build a dominant college program. I’m really excited about the future of UAB Football.”

Next, Dilfer was asked about his goals for the program under his watch. He answered that football’s got little to do with it. Instead, he’s in the business of molding young men.

“I think it has become institution-centric and coach-centric, and we’ve forgotten that the student athletes are the ones that matter. We’ll be student athlete-centric. We’re doing this to serve them. We’ll be all about serving the student athletes]. We want to get the best out of them. I want to put a staff together that’s going to pour into these young men and help them be better humans. We want to make them great husbands and fathers. To change this world for the better.”

“And they’ll play good football in the process,” he added at the end. Wholesome goals for Coach Dilfer and his UAB program.

Lastly, Trent Dilfer explained what his message to the team was, based on the program goals he had just lined out. His reponse:

“I said…If you want to chase your best, if you want to pursue your maximum potential, this is gonna be the place for you. But if you’re here for a transactional experience, not to go to school, if you’re here not to treat women right, if you’re here not to make an impact on our community — this probably isn’t the place for you. Because, again, I’m very steadfast on this. I think too much is made about what happens between the lines.”

Very high expectations off the field for Dilfer’s players. He’s concerned for his players beyond the grass in between the goal lines. Great football hand-in-hand with great character. That’s Trent Dilfer’s goal at UAB.