Mark Ingram States Support For Dilfer, Announces Coach Will Return in 2025

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - December 3, 2024

UAB athletics director Mark Ingram announced on Tuesday that Trent Dilfer will continue to lead the program’s football team despite back-to-back losing seasons. Ingram added in a statement that “operational and staff changes” and “additional investments” will be made.

“The last two seasons have been disappointing, but Coach Dilfer has learned a great deal and has a plan for the future,” Ingram said in the statement. “NIL and the transfer portal make this perhaps the most challenging time in college football history. But I have seen Coach Dilfer’s dedication and believe that his football IQ, commitment to UAB, passion for the game, love for student athletes and relentless work ethic will pay off in the near future. For those reasons, Coach Dilfer will continue to be our head coach in 2025.”

UAB is 7-17 in two seasons under Dilfer, including a 3-9 finish this season. UAB had not finished with three wins or less since Garrick McGee was 3-9 and 2-10 in 2012 and 2013. The Blazers have just five wins against FBS teams in two seasons and beat just one FBS team (South Florida in 2023) that finished the season with a winning record.

“Our fans deserve better than the win-loss record we’ve given them the last two years, but I have worked extremely hard and learned a lot, and I am confident in the clearer picture I have regarding what needs to happen for UAB Football to win,” Dilfer said in a statement. “I am committed to doing what it takes to win. We need to do some things differently, and I have a plan to get our program where it needs to be. I have talked extensively with AD Ingram and appreciate his support of UAB Football. I also appreciate the significant investments and support our program receives from the institution, as well as commitments our leadership has made to increasing support.”

It is unclear on when the staff changes will be made or how extensive those changes will occur. UAB finished 93rd in the country in total defense after finishing 118th in that category in 2023. The Blazers were 61st in the country in total offense after finishing 18th in that category in 2023.

UAB is already facing transfer portal defections. The Blazers’ roster has been hit hard since Monday with at least 10 players already announcing intentions to leave, including quarterback Jacob Zeno, offensive linemen Brady Wilson and Trey Bedosky, linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr., defensive lineman Derrick Shepard Jr. and defensive back Ricky Lee III, and more are expected soon. The early signing period for college football begins on Wednesday and concludes on Friday for high school players and Jan. 15 for transfer portal players. The transfer portal for non-graduate players opens up next Monday. The traditional signing period for the 2024-25 class runs from Feb. 5 until April 1.

FULL STATEMENT FROM UAB AD MARK INGRAM

Blazer fans,

 Our last two football seasons have not met UAB’s standard of excellence in the least, and nobody — especially Coach Dilfer and myself — thinks that’s ok. However, in his short time as a Blazer, Coach Dilfer has demonstrated a tireless work ethic — both on and off the field — to make a positive impact at UAB and on the Birmingham community. 

The last two seasons have been disappointing, but Coach Dilfer has learned a great deal and has a plan for the future. NIL and the transfer portal make this perhaps the most challenging time in college football history. But I have seen Coach Dilfer’s dedication and believe that his football IQ, commitment to UAB, passion for the game, love for student athletes and relentless work ethic will pay off in the near future. For those reasons, Coach Dilfer will continue to be our head coach in 2025.

His efforts to support our players academically have already paid off in notable increases in the team’s Academic Progress Rate, and I look forward to seeing his continued efforts turn into wins on the field — which is what we are all working to achieve. This is our collective focus, and we have the strong support of our university leadership, System Office and Board of Trustees. Our institutional support is among the highest of the public institutions in The American, and we will continue to make additional investments to increase competitiveness.

The most important thing right now is for Coach Dilfer to focus on his plan and address what needs to be done moving forward. We will make operational and staff changes, as well as additional investments. I support Coach Dilfer and the team, and I will do everything I can to help them compete for bowl eligibility and championships in The American and beyond. 

Thank you for all you do to support UAB Athletics. Your continued support is essential to our success.

Go Blazers!

Mark Ingram 

Director of Athletics

University of Alabama at Birmingham