Report: UAB 'expected' to hire Trent Dilfer as next head coach

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the UAB Blazers are “expected” to hire Trent Dilfer as the program’s next head coach. He has never coached on the collegiate level but has been in Nashville, coaching private school David Lipscomb Academy.

“Sources: Trent Dilfer is expected to become the next head coach at UAB,” Thamel said via Twitter. “A deal hasn’t been formalized, but the sides are likely to come to terms in the upcoming days.”

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.

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.

A big jump will be made by Dilfer himself, going from a Tennessee private school to FBS football.