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By Reice Shipley
Contributing Sports Writer
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After losing a third straight game on Saturday, the UAB Blazers decided to part ways with head coach and former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer in the middle of his third year at the program. Shortly following this, one former UAB standout who played for the Atlanta Falcons threw his hat in the ring to be Dilfer's eventual replacement.
Dilfer's tenure at UAB was far from ideal, going 9-21 over the course of his 30 games coached at the program. So it's not exactly all that much of a surprise that, as the program faces a potential third straight season under .500 with Dilfer, they opted to go in a different direction.
For the time being, UAB offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen will serve as the interim head coach, likely for the remainder of the 2025 season. However, there is already one very high-profile UAB alum who sees Dilfer's firing as an opportunity to spark his own collegiate coaching career.
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Replying to UAB's public statement on X from UAB Athletics Director Mark Ingram, former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Roddy White sent a clear message to the program, letting it be known that he would like to be the man to replace Dilfer.
"I want the job," White wrote in a post on X Sunday.
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White played at UAB from 2001 to 2004, ranking second for all-time receiving yards and receptions in the program during this time in Birmingham, before going on to star in the NFL for 10 seasons. His time in the NFL resulted in making four Pro Bowl appearances and ultimately being named to the Falcons Ring of Honor in 2019.
The one glaring problem with White's plea to be the next UAB head coach is that he has no background in coaching at the collegiate level before. He has served as a quality control coach at Johns Creek High School in Georgia*.*
Given that UAB isn't exactly in the greatest position at the moment, it may not be a stretch to see them take a chance on a potential high-risk, high-reward name like White as their next head coach. He could resonate with potential recruits given his NFL background.
Only time will tell whether White ultimately gets his wish to be the next UAB head coach, but it should at least be reassuring for UAB that there appears to be interest around the vacancy given their recent track record of struggles under Dilfer.
For more on the UAB Blazers, Trent Dilfer, and all things college football, head to Newsweek Sports.
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