Ingram out as UAB Ad; Kennedy named interim

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 18, 2026

UAB announced on Tuesday afternoon that the university has parted ways with athletic director Mark Ingram. UAB basketball coach Andy Kennedy will serve as the interim athletic director during the national search for Ingram’s replacement.

“Mark has played an important role in the growth and evolution of UAB Athletics,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts in a university press release. “During his tenure, UAB Athletics achieved significant milestones, including major facility investments, a successful transition to the American Conference, and continued support for our student-athletes and coaches. We are grateful for Mark’s dedication to UAB and the impact he has made over the past 11 years, and we wish him continued success in the years ahead.”

The move was announced as a mutual agreement between Ingram and UAB.  

“It has been an honor to serve UAB Athletics for the past 11 years,” Ingram said in the press release. “I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved together and grateful for the relationships that made those successes possible. I wish everyone connected with UAB Athletics great success in the future. I leave with tremendous pride in what we accomplished together.”

Watts said in the university press release that the focus is on the future. 

“Our commitment to athletics has never been stronger,” Watts said in the press release. “We are excited about the future and focused on supporting our student-athletes, coaches and fans as we continue to build on UAB’s momentum. Success increasingly depends on an institution’s ability to adapt, innovate, strengthen community partnerships, engage supporters, and compete in a rapidly changing environment. UAB is committed to doing exactly that.”

 Kennedy is entering his seventh season as the UAB basketball head coach.