UAB fires Trent Dilfer after poor start as recruiting polarization backfires

Trent Dilfer didn’t last long as a college football head coach.

UAB released the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback on Sunday night after just two seasons in which he compiled a 9-21 record.

The Blazers lead 2-4 and have lost three straight games by 32, 18 and 20 points.

“We have made the decision to part ways with head football coach Trent Dilfer.” UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram said in a statement Posted on the school website. “We agree that our on-field performance, unfortunately, fell short of the winning streak we achieved for the program. This decision will allow us to move forward in the best interest of the program in the long term.”

“I wish Coach Dilfer the best and thank him for his class, hard work and commitment during his tenure at UAB. Although his efforts did not translate into a winning record, every young man who played for him will be a better person as a result.”

UAB made an outside-the-box move to hire Dilfer in November 2022 despite him having no collegiate coaching experience.

Dilfer had previously coached Lipscomb Academy in Nashville for four years after his nine-year career with ESPN ended in 2017 when the company made mass layoffs.

The 53-year-old inherited a team that went 7-6 in 2022, and led UAB to a 4-8 record in his first season before going 3-9 in 2024.

While the Blazers have beaten Alabama and Akron this year, they have lost by at least 14 points to Navy, Tennessee, Army and, most recently, Florida Atlantic, falling 53-33 on Saturday.

The team’s defense allows the most points in the sport, giving up 41.3 points per game.

Before entering the coaching and media ranks, Dilfer had a strong NFL career that included a Super Bowl win.

The former Fresno State star played in the NFL for 14 seasons from 1994-2007 after being selected by the Buccaneers with the No. 6 pick in the 1994 NFL Draft.

His crowning achievement came when he helped the 2000 Ravens — a team remembered for having one of the greatest defenses in NFL history — win the Super Bowl with a 34-7 victory over the Giants.

UAB is now turning its program over to another individual with ESPN ties. Alex Mortensen, son of the late ESPN reporting legend Chris Mortensen, has been promoted to interim coach.

He worked as offensive coordinator.

“I have asked Alex Mortensen to serve as interim coach to lead the team for the remainder of the season as we continue as a department and university to provide the support our student-athletes need to compete,” Ingram said.