Trent Dilfer, the head coach of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) football team, has been given another chance to prove himself despite a rocky first season. Dilfer’s 2025 recruiting class has been underwhelming, ranking 133rd nationally in the 247Sports Composite, behind three FCS programs and every American Athletic Conference program but one. Moreover, the program has lost 29 players to the transfer portal since it opened on December 9, more than any team in the AAC. 
Despite these challenges, Dilfer remains optimistic and determined to turn things around. “I had no say in the process of keeping me,” Dilfer said, “but I’m super fired up that I get a chance to fix this.” UAB football is a young but proud program that has faced its fair share of adversity, including being shut down in 2014 only to be revived six months later. Under the leadership of coach Bill Clark, the program enjoyed its best run in school history, with five bowl games in six seasons.
Dilfer, a former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion, was hired by UAB athletic director Mark Ingram despite having no prior college coaching experience. Ingram was drawn to Dilfer’s high energy, engaging personality, and unique approach to coaching. “He talks about life,” Ingram said. ” ‘If I can help you be a better person, I can help you be a better football player.’ He just had a very different approach.”
In his first season, Dilfer won four games and avoided embarrassing losses, but struggled in conference play, losing three games by more than 20 points. Despite these challenges, Dilfer has been given another chance to prove himself, and he’s determined to make the most of it. With the help of some key transfers, including Kent State’s leading tackler Josh Baka and UTEP’s leading rusher Jevon Jackson, Dilfer is confident that he can turn things around and lead UAB to success.
Only time will tell if Dilfer can indeed turn things around at UAB. However, with his determination, unique approach, and the support of his athletic director, he’s certainly got a fighting chance. As Dilfer himself said, “I’m super fired up that I get a chance to fix this.” UAB fans will be hoping that he can indeed fix things and lead the program to greater heights.
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