Super Bowl-winning quarterback fired as head coach of struggling college football team

UAB have fired head coach Trent Dilfer following their disappointing start to the college football season. 

The Blazers fell to 2-4 for the year after a 53-33 loss to FAU on Saturday afternoon, which proved to be the final straw for those above Dilfer. 

In a statement released on Sunday, UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram said: 'We have made a decision to part ways with Head Football Coach Trent Dilfer. 

'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'. 

Prior to Dilfer's arrival, UAB had not endured a losing season since 2013. However, that quickly changed after Dilfer lead them to a 4-8 record in 2023.

He was initially hired as a full-time replacement for Bill Clark back in 2023, despite the fact he had no experience in college football prior to joining UAB. 

Dilfer, as many fans may remember, spent more than a decade as an NFL quarterback before spending time as one of ESPN's lead NFL analyst from 2008-2017.

The highlight of Dilfer's career came when he led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl trophy in 2000 after initially signing on as the team's backup QB before being thrust into the lineup midway through the season.

Despite lifting the Lombardi Trophy, Dilfer became the first quarterback to start in a Super Bowl victory and not return to the team the following in NFL history.

He also suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and San Fransico 49ers during his career.