By Ty Scheiner
When UAB decided to hire Trent Dilfer as their head football coach in November 2022, it was seen as a bold move. Dilfer, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, came with name recognition and an impressive résumé as a high school coach. However, as we inch further into the 2024 season, questions are beginning to arise about whether UAB made the right choice in hiring Dilfer over their then-current interim head coach, Bryant Vincent.
Vincent had stepped in for Bill Clark, who retired due to health reasons before the 2022 season, and kept UAB football on solid footing during his short stint as the interim coach. Now, Vincent is showing what he’s capable of with the ULM Warhawks, and some are left wondering if UAB would be in a better position had they stuck with the coach who was already leading the program.
Bryant Vincent’s UAB Success: A Proven Commodity
Bryant Vincent wasn’t just a placeholder when he took over for Bill Clark in 2022; he was the glue that kept UAB’s football program moving forward. As the offensive coordinator under Clark (2018-2021), Vincent had already established himself as a key figure in the program’s success. During his time on staff, UAB’s offense consistently ranked among the best in Conference USA. The Blazers developed a balanced offensive attack that could beat teams through the air or on the ground, and Vincent’s ability to develop quarterbacks and offensive schemes was a major factor.
When Clark retired, Vincent inherited a team that had been one of the most successful in Conference USA. UAB won the conference title in 2020 and has been in contention every year since reinstating the program in 2017. Vincent didn’t miss a beat. Under his leadership, UAB went 7-6 and won the Bahamas Bowl in 2022, a solid showing for a team that was in transition. Vincent never experienced a losing season with the Blazers, compiling an overall 48-27 record in his six years at UAB.
Despite this, UAB decided to go in a different direction after the season, hiring Dilfer—even though it was widely known that the players wanted Vincent to be their next head coach. While the allure of bringing in a high-profile name from outside the college ranks may have been tempting, there were plenty of arguments in favor of sticking with Vincent—arguments that are now being amplified by UAB’s current struggles.
Trent Dilfer’s Struggles at UAB
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Fast forward to 2024, and the Trent Dilfer experiment has been anything but smooth for UAB. Dilfer, who had no previous Division 1 coaching experience, has faced a steep learning curve in transitioning from high school football to the college level. It’s one thing to win a Super Bowl as a player, but running a college football program is an entirely different animal, and Dilfer’s lack of experience is showing.
UAB has struggled under Dilfer, going 4-8 last year and facing multiple disappointing losses and inconsistency this season, leading to a 1-4 start. The Blazers, once known for their physicality and discipline, now look like a team still searching for an identity. They’ve been undisciplined, averaging just over nine penalties per game, which ranks near the bottom of all of college football. They have given up 12 sacks for a loss of 86 yards and are minus-9 in turnover margin, which also ranks near the bottom.
Bryant Vincent’s Early Success at ULM
Meanwhile, Bryan Vincent has seamlessly transitioned to his new role as head coach of ULM, where he’s exceeding expectations in his first year. His Warhawks pulled off a significant upset earlier this season, beating UAB 41-28—a symbolic victory for Vincent that underscored what UAB might be missing.
Under Vincent’s guidance in his first year, ULM has shown improvement, particularly on offense, where the Warhawks had struggled mightily in previous seasons. Through five games, they are averaging 19.8 ppg compared to last year’s 17.8 ppg. ULM finished 2-10 last year and currently sit at 4-1 atop the Sun Belt West. With a favorable schedule ahead, the Warhawks have a legitimate shot at making a bowl game—a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2012.
In ULM’s victory over UAB, it was Vincent’s offensive game plan that outclassed Dilfer’s. The Warhawks controlled time of possession as well as the line of scrimmage. While ULM may not have the overall talent level of UAB, Vincent’s coaching made the difference—a reality that likely stings for Blazers fans who remember him keeping their program afloat just a year ago.
Experience Matters in College Football
One of the biggest differences between Dilfer and Vincent is experience. While Dilfer is learning on the job, Vincent had already spent 13 years honing his craft at the collegiate level before stepping into a head coaching role. The jump from high school to Division 1 football is a massive one, and Dilfer’s lack of experience is proving to be a major hurdle.
At UAB, Vincent already had relationships with the players and staff, knew the ins and outs of the program, and had a clear understanding of what it took to win in Conference USA. He was an internal candidate who had already proven his worth. Instead, UAB opted for the splashy hire in Dilfer, and so far, it appears they may have chosen flash over substance.
Off-field drama isn’t helping Dilfer, especially as he continues to lose. His recent comments, such as “It’s not like this is freakin’ Alabama” during a press conference, have upset UAB fans. Although it may have been taken out of context, Dilfer needs to be more mindful of his word choice—it doesn’t help when you’re not winning.
UAB HC Trent Dilfer says his kids can go on the stage because “It’s not like this is freaking Alabama, lets go” pic.twitter.com/4sY6pLdLf7
— Auburn Blazer (@AuburnBlazer) September 28, 2024
Looking Ahead
The contrast between Dilfer’s early struggles and Vincent’s success at ULM raises valid concerns about UAB’s decision-making process. College football is a results-driven business, and while hiring a name-brand coach may generate headlines, winning games is what ultimately matters.
If UAB continues to struggle under Dilfer, the decision to pass over Vincent will loom large. Blazers fans can only wonder what might have been had their program stayed the course with a coach who had already proven he could win at UAB.
For now, it seems that UAB might have made a critical error, one that Vincent and his Warhawks were more than happy to highlight in their upset victory earlier this season.
