One day after UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram announced that Trent Dilfer had been relieved of his duties as head coach, speculation is swirling about who will take over the Blazers’ program. Among the names being discussed nationally, one stands out as a particularly strong fit: former West Virginia head coach Neal Brown.
According to The Athletic and Sporting News, Brown appears on the short list of potential replacements, alongside other notable names such as Bill Clark, Ed Orgeron, and Skip Holtz. But for many observers, Brown’s connection to the state of Alabama and his proven success at the Group of 5 level make him one of the most intriguing options on the market.
Neal Brown’s Alabama Roots Make Him a Natural Fit
Before his tenure at West Virginia, Brown built a winning reputation in Alabama as the head coach at Troy University from 2015 to 2018. During his four seasons with the Trojans, Brown compiled a 35–16 record, won three bowl games, and delivered some of the program’s most memorable moments — including a 2017 upset victory over LSU in Baton Rouge.
Brown’s success at Troy wasn’t just about wins and losses; it was about culture. He transformed the Trojans into one of the Sun Belt’s most respected programs, emphasizing discipline, development, and toughness — qualities that UAB fans would undoubtedly welcome after a turbulent few seasons under Dilfer.
Given that Troy is located less than three hours from Birmingham, Brown already has deep recruiting connections in Alabama and the Southeast, an invaluable advantage for any coach looking to rebuild the Blazers’ roster.
Not a “Power 4” Coach — and That’s a Good Thing for UAB
While Brown’s tenure at West Virginia (2019–2024) brought mixed results, his time in Morgantown showed he can operate under pressure and maintain stability amid major conference changes. Still, his coaching style — built on development, fundamentals, and program-building — aligns more naturally with Group of 5 programs like UAB than with the high-stakes environment of the Power 4.
In other words, Brown knows how to win without elite resources. For a school like UAB that continues to grow within the American Athletic Conference, that experience could be exactly what’s needed to return the Blazers to bowl contention.
Other Names in the Mix
Both The Athletic and Sporting News mentioned several other possible candidates for the job, including:
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Bill Clark, the former UAB head coach who led the program’s miraculous rebirth after it was shut down in 2014.
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Ed Orgeron, the fiery former LSU coach who won a national championship in 2019.
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Skip Holtz, currently leading the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL to back-to-back championships.
Additional names mentioned by The Athletic include Bryant Vincent (Louisiana-Monroe), Tyson Helton (Western Kentucky), Drew Cronic (Navy OC), Kerwin Bell (Western Carolina), Mike Jacobs (Mercer), Steve Englehart (Presbyterian), and Tremaine Jackson (Prairie View A&M).
A Perfect Opportunity for Both Sides
For UAB, Neal Brown represents stability, credibility, and familiarity with Alabama football. For Brown, the Blazers’ job could be the perfect reset — a chance to return to his roots, rebuild a competitive mid-major program, and reestablish himself as one of college football’s top developers of talent.
If Ingram and UAB are seeking a leader who can rebuild from the inside out, Neal Brown may just be the perfect candidate to lead the next chapter of Blazer football.
