UAB’s search for its next head coach, and its first full-time leader after Bill Clark and the program’s revival less than a decade ago, seems to have found its focus.
In the last 24 hours, multiple sources have told FootballScoop that the hunt for the Blazers has shifted and the focus now appears to be on Super Bowl-winning former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who led the Nashville private school Lipscomb Academy to a third consecutive berth in the TSSAA Division II Class AA State Championship.
Dilfer’s Mustangs program, which has several players tied to the Football Bowls subdivision and has become a nationally branded prep powerhouse under Dilfer’s guidance, with ESPN appearances among other notoriety, play Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a second crown. consecutive state.
According to sources familiar with the process, UAB officials are expected to approach Dilfer with a formal offer to coach the Blazers program, and those sources said Blazers bosses are “optimistic” that Dilfer will accept what would be your first college. head coaching position.
Sources in Tennessee football’s high school ranks, as well as other college sports coaches, said Dilfer worked to maintain a laser focus on the Mustangs’ chance of repeating as state champions inside Finley Stadium, home of the Chattanooga Mocs.
After starring in college at Fresno State, Dilfer charted a 14-year NFL career that began with the Tampa Bay Bucs, where he earned a Pro Bowl nomination in 1997, and later won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Dilfer first drew acclaim for his work as a “coach” when he became deeply involved with the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp, as well as national network television roles on ESPN, among others.
UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram, who has worked on powerhouse athletics programs at the University of Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee as well as Temple and maintained a strong relationship over the years with Matt Rhule, led what several coaches have called “an extremely profound experience”. looking to replace Clark, who retired abruptly at the end of June due to health reasons and then declared that Bryant Vincent would be the Blazers’ interim head coach.
Vincent made a strong case for getting the full-time job this season as he guided UAB to a 6-6 record and helped the program secure a berth in next month’s Bahamas Bowl against Miami (OH).
Players expressed strong support for Vincent and wrote a letter to UAB President Dr. Ray Watts, which was posted on Twitter on Tuesday.