Roddy White sends four-word message to UAB after Trent Dilfer's firing

Jeff Hauser

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Roddy White sends four-word message to UAB after Trent Dilfer's firing image

Will the UAB Blazers hire another NFL star as head coach? 

Immediately after firing Trent Dilfer on Sunday, an unlikely name entered himself into the conversation. Former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro receiver and UAB alum Roddy White made his intentions clear by saying, "I want the job" in response on X.  

If White were to land the job, he would be the latest former player to take the reins at the college level. It would also be a contiunation started by Deion Sanders at Jackson State in 2020. He would also be coming in with no coaching experience on the books. 

UAB moved on from Dilfer six games into his third season. The team fell to Florida Atlantic 53-33, dropping to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the American Athletic Conference. Offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. 

“We have made a decision to part ways with head football coach Trent Dilfer,” UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said in a statement. “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.”

Dilfer’s tenure began in 2023 after he was hired to replace longtime coach Bill Clark. The former Super Bowl-winning quarterback arrived in Birmingham with no prior college coaching experience, having previously led Lipscomb Academy in Nashville to back-to-back Tennessee state championships.

At UAB, Dilfer posted a 9-21 overall record, including 6-14 in conference play, and failed to win a single road game.

Whether White would be able to land the job or not remains to be seen. However, like Sanders, the move would bring attention in ways Dilfer never really could over the past three years. 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.