UAB Has Fired Head Coach Trent Dilfer

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 12, 2025

UAB football coach Trent Dilfer was fired after the sixth game of his third season at the helm of the program. UAB offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The news came on Sunday, a day after the Blazers dropped a 53-33 decision on the road at Florida Atlantic. John Brice of Footballscoop.com was the first to report the firing. Not long after UAB athletic director Mark Ingram released a statement through UAB’s associate athletic director for communications Ted Feeley.

“We have made a decision to part ways with Head Football Coach Trent Dilfer,” Ingram said in the statement. “We agree that — unfortunately — our on-field performance has not lived up to the standard of winning we have for the program. This decision will allow us to move forward in the best long-term interest of the program. I have asked Alex Mortensen to serve as interim head coach to lead the team for the remainder of the season as we continue as a department and university to provide the support our student athletes need to compete. I wish Coach Dilfer the best and thank him for his class, tireless work and commitment during his tenure at UAB. While his efforts did not translate into a winning record, each young man who played for him will be a better person as a result.

Dilfer finished 9-21 during his time at UAB, including 2-4 this season. His teams failed to win in 15 road games and were the first non-bowl eligible teams at UAB since the 2013 season. It was Dilfer’s first job in college football. Mortensen has served as the program’s offensive coordinator since Dilfer took over the program. His first game as the interim head coach comes on Saturday against Memphis in ‘The Battle for Bones.’