MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — The firing was swift but not shocking. UAB’s athletic department had grown increasingly frustrated with the trajectory of its football program, citing underperformance amid growing expectations in the American Athletic Conference. Dilfer departs with a 9–21 record across two-plus seasons, and the Blazers announced that their offensive coordinator, Alex Mortensen, will serve as interim head coach. With the job now open, UAB must find someone who can compete in the AAC, recruit in Alabama, and also bring a realistic but ambitious vision forward.
BREAKING: UAB has fired Trent Dilfer, @PeteNakos_ confirms❌https://t.co/HW7x1hRK5f pic.twitter.com/BbPg8zsrBe
— On3 (@On3sports) October 12, 2025
Enter Neal Brown.
Why Brown is an intriguing fit
1. Alabama roots at the Group-of-5 level
One of Brown’s most relevant credentials is his tenure at Troy, a program in Alabama competing in the Sun Belt. Before his move to West Virginia, Brown compiled a 35–16 record at Troy over four seasons, going a perfect 3–0 in bowl games during that stretch. In 2016, he led Troy to a 10-3 record and its first Top-25 appearance—making the Trojans the first Sun Belt team ever to crack the polls. In 2017, his squad upset LSU in Baton Rouge, snapping the Tigers’ nonconference home win streak in dramatic fashion. That kind of footprint in Alabama gives him instant credibility in recruiting and regional appeal — something UAB would very much value.
Moreover, Brown showed he could build winning momentum in a non-elite conference. His success at Troy tells you he knows the challenges of competing with fewer resources, building local support, and growing program identity in a region already saturated by big-time college football.
2. Not a Power-4 head coach, but not without pedigree
It’s fair to note: Brown has not been a head coach in one of the “Power 4” conferences. His highest-profile stint was at West Virginia (Big 12), where he was eventually let go after six seasons. His overall head-coaching record remains solid (around 72–51) but he has not yet proven himself in, say, the SEC or Big Ten. That said, that context is also his strength: he’s a head coach accustomed to the constraints and realities outside the Power 4, which arguably makes him a better fit for UAB than some flashy outsider who may not understand the platform.
Certainly, some might question whether Brown can compete at the upper levels (and whether he has the recruiting clout and infrastructure to make the leap). But UAB probably doesn’t need a top-tier juggernaut right now; what they need is a builder, someone who can stabilize, reset, and progressively elevate.
3. A chance for redemption and reset
After his departure from West Virginia, a move like UAB gives Brown a clean slate. He can re-establish his head-coaching narrative, showing he can retool his approach, build a winning culture, and do so in the state of Alabama—a place where he is already known. UAB’s location in Birmingham means recruiting arms, in-state presence, and name recognition matter immensely. Brown’s prior success in Alabama gives him a significant leg up in making that impact.
Looking at the potential list of candidates for this one and UAB could do a lot worse than Neal Brown.
He would do great at that job.
— Cole Tarver (@TheColeTarver) October 13, 2025
Challenges and caveats
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Jump in competition: The AAC is a tougher league than the Sun Belt. Brown would have to adapt to a higher level of resource competition, more athletic rosters, and more intense recruiting battles.
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Expectation management: UAB’s fan base (and administration) will expect a turnaround fairly quickly. Brown must balance ambition with pragmatism.
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Selling to recruits and boosters: Even with his Troy resume, Brown will have to convince stakeholders that he’s not just a mid-major retread but someone capable of sustained growth.
The perfect marriage?
In many respects, this is the kind of opportunity that fits Brown like a glove. UAB needs a head coach who understands Alabama, can recruit there credibly, and doesn’t overpromise but can deliver growth. Brown is not coming in as a big-time marquee hire (which may even be a relief from expectations), but as someone who has already proven himself in the same state and in similar circumstances.
If UAB wants to build something sustainable, it may be better to bet on a coach who knows how to win when you don’t have the same resources as the giants. Brown has done that before in Alabama. Now the question is whether UAB will be bold enough to hire him.
