UAB fires Trent Dilfer: Blazers end failed experiment halfway through the 2025 season
UAB is firing coach Trent Dilfer six games into his third season with the Blazers, the university announced Sunday. UAB’s decision came just a day after the Blazers fell to 2-4 on the year in a 53-33 loss to FAU.
Dilfer was on track for a third straight losing season with the Blazers. Their four losses this season have been by at least 14 points and only one of their wins came against an FBS opponent.
Offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen, who played quarterback at Arkansas and in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, will serve as interim coach.
“We have made the decision to part ways with head football coach Trent Dilfer,” UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said in a statement. “We agree that – unfortunately – our performance on the field has not lived up to the level of winning we have for the program. This decision will allow us to move forward in the best long-term interest of the program.”
Dilfer leaves Birmingham with a 9-21 record, including a 6-14 mark in Conference USA. He didn’t win a single road game in his three years at UAB. The last time the Blazers went this long without a road win was when they didn’t have a football program in 2015-16.
Before Dilfer took over, UAB hadn’t had a losing season since 2013. Dilfer’s 4-8 record in 2023 also ended a streak of six consecutive bowl appearances for the Blazers.
Dilfer was originally hired in 2023 as a full-time replacement for former UAB coach Bill Clark. He came to the Blazers with no prior collegiate coaching experience.
A former quarterback at Fresno State and in the NFL, Dilfer led Nashville, Tenn.-based college preparatory school Lipscomb Academy from 2019 to 2022. Lipscomb won back-to-back state titles from 2021 to 2022.
Dilfer played in the NFL from 1994 to 2007. His career peaked in 2000 when he led the Baltimore Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 1997 and retired in 2008 with 20,518 passing yards and 113 passing touchdowns.
