UAB's Trent Dilfer experience reaches shocking new lows

There's not really a context for this that is going to make it look like anything other than a shocking lack of pre-game focus.

Could you imagine the reaction Dilfer would have had if one of his players did something like that? Have you ever seen a coach, at any level, do something like that just before the start of a game?

Dilfer has spent time coaching high school football in the area before joining UAB, and the stadium might be one of the most storied in college football, but take the pictures during warmups. Take them during the walkthrough the night before. Heck, take them after the game is over. Do it at any other time than when you are supposed to be locked in for a road game against an SEC team. 

UAB's cheap shot is another low point

As if Dilfer's pre-game antics and the final score were not bad enough, UAB had another embarrassing display in the game when defensive back Sirad Bryant deliberately stomped on the foot of Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert following an extra point to make it a 21-0 game. 

There is just no place for something like that at any level of football and it only adds to the embarrassment of the day for UAB.

All of this happened after the team's top wide receiver, Corri Milliner, did not make the trip after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. 

How much more leash will Dilfer get at UAB?

We are not that far into the 2025 college football season, and we have already seen several prominent head-coaching changes. You have to wonder if Dilfer might soon be among them. After Saturday's loss, the Blazers are just 9-20 during his tenure, a shocking fall from where the program was when he took over. In the seven years to Dilfer's hiring, UAB had appeared in bowl games six times, with the only non-Bowl year being the 2020 Covid season, when the program went 6-3. It might not have been a superpower, but it was a respectable program that found a lot of success.

Even worse than the overall record is that three of his nine wins have come against FCS teams, while he is now 0-14 in road games and 0-3 against power conference schools. 

Not only is the program finding no success now, but it is also getting embarrassed. In more ways than just the scoreboard and standings. That can not happen for much longer.