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Possible Head Coach Candidates for UAB

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Huesmann | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 3:41 PM ET

The UAB Blazers have made a switch at head coach. Trent Dilfer was 9-21 in three seasons, and frankly never looked up to the job. UAB (3-4, 1-3 American) won their first game with Alex Mortenson as interim boss. In terms of Group of 5 schools they have decent resources and periods of success. Bill Clark was a tremendous coach and one of the most underrated head coaches in recent memory in the FBS. Here are five options for UAB moving forward.

Casey Woods

Offensive Coordinator, SMU

Woods has been a popular name in this search from the beginning. SMU (5-2, 3-0 ACC) went to the College Football Playoff last year and will be in contention again. Woods was an assistant coach under Clark and also has experience in-state at Auburn. His offenses have been tough to stop the last two seasons with running and throwing. If they keep winning, and I wouldn’t bet against them, he’ll be a strong contender for this job. Right now, I’d probably have him as the favorite and he’s been a contender for jobs like this before.

Bryan Vincent

Head Coach/Interim Athletic Director, Louisiana-Monroe

Vincent was the interim head coach the last time they had an opening and was passed over. I often wonder if UAB is kicking themselves for not hiring him? They should be. He has started a turnaround at ULM, one of the toughest FBS schools to win at. The Warhawks (3-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) were atrocious when he took over and he got five wins in year one and looks to get or surpass that this year. Few teams run the ball more than he does and have a more solidified identity. UAB could use both of those. I have my doubts that he would leave ULM for this job after getting spurned before, but if I’m UAB I go after him hard.

Alex Mortenson

Interim Head Coach, UAB

Mortenson’s interview for the job started last week and went better than anyone expected. Perennial conference contender No. 22 Memphis (6-1, 2-1 American) came to town and the Blazers got a win in his first game in charge. The schedule has a few easier games but battles later in November will give us a better indicator if Mortenson will be considered for the permanent job. After the Memphis win he has to be a contender at this time. He also has strong ties to the state as an assistant coach at Alabama and with the Birmingham Iron.

Anthony Blevins

Assistant Special Teams Coordinator, Chicago Bears

Former UAB player and assistant coach, Blevins has spent most seasons the last decade in the NFL as an assistant with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and now Chicago Bears. He is another name who has been mentioned since the beginning of this search. The people at UAB seem to like him and his resume as an assistant is impressive. I don’t know if his lack of experience as an offensive or defensive coordinator will be a hindrance. It might be, but right now he looks like a guy with a legitimate shot at the job.

Neal Brown

Assistant, Texas

Former head coach at Troy and West Virginia, Brown has much experience in the state of Alabama at the G5 level. He was an assistant coach and head coach at Troy where he was good enough to get the WVU job. He was never great for the Mountaineers, but he was solid. He has a record of 72-51 as head coach across both schools, that looks pretty good. I think Brown gets a head coaching job before too long, likely at a G5 school. Could this be it?

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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