Trent Dilfer Fired by UAB, Chris Mortensen's Son Alex Named Interim HC

After coaching UAB since 2023, former Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer will be searching for a new job.

UAB fired Dilfer on Sunday after he coached the team to a 9-21 record over two-plus seasons, including a 2-4 start to the 2025 campaign.

Dilfer released a statement on social media Monday, saying, "I wish I could have done more."

Offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen, the son of late ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen, will take over as head coach on an interim basis.

"We agree that—unfortunately—our on-field performance has not lived up to the standard of winning we have for the program," director of athletics Mark Ingram said in a statement. "This decision will allow us to move forward in the best long-term interest of the program."

After spending a few years as a high school football coach, Dilfer tried his hand at the college ranks with UAB ahead of the 2023 season. In his first year at the helm, the Blazers went 4-8. The 2024 campaign wasn't any better, as they finished with a 3-9 record.

The 2025 season got off to a promising start for the Blazers, as they were 2-1 after three games. Unfortunately, the momentum quickly stopped as things went off the rails, starting with a 56-24 loss to then-No. 15 Tennessee. The team struggled once again the following week with a 31-13 loss to Army. Saturday's 53-33 laugher against Florida Atlantic appeared to be the final straw for Dilfer's tenure.

Before becoming a coach, Dilfer played in the NFL from 1994 to 2007 for five different teams. He helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2000. After retiring from football, he embarked on a broadcasting career that included stops at NFL Network, ESPN and Fox Sports 1.

After his struggles at UAB, it remains to be seen if Dilfer will continue his coaching career or if he will make a return to broadcasting. The Blazers will begin life without him next Saturday when they meet No. 22 Memphis (6-0).