The Trent Dilfer era in Birmingham has been anything but festive. After a lackluster 4-8 season in his first year at the helm, year 2 has gone even more south with an abysmal 2-9 record and the team looks like it’s had its once thriving spirit torn out. The UAB Blazers brass will likely seek to start over and search for a new leader of men. Without further ado, here are a few Head Coach candidates that could bring back the jolly vibes to Birmingham.
Rich Rodriguez-Jacksonville State Head Coach
If the Blazers are in the market for a Head Coach with a wealthy amount of experience, Rich Rodriguez should be at the top of the list. The 61 year old Grant Town, West Virginia native has a 184-128-2 record over his 27 years as a head coach with stops at Salem, Glenville State, West Virginia, Michigan, Arizona and now Jacksonville State. Birmingham is only a little less than an hour and a half drive from Jacksonville, so anything regarding moving to a new home shouldn’t come up in the equation.
After a miserable 0-3 start, the Gamecock have won 7 straight games and are competing for a spot in the CUSA Championship. He is currently 23-9 in his 3 seasons in Jacksonville.Rich Rodriguez has almost always been able to field a potent offense and knows how to put together a strong coaching staff, 2 qualities that make him one of the premiere choices on the market. Rich Rod is a consistent winner and could easily turn UAB back into a winning football program.
Casey Woods-SMU Offensive Coordinator
Casey Woods was a part of Bill Clark’s staff at UAB from 2017-2019 as a tight ends coach and knows what it takes to build UAB into a conference championship contender. That experience would also likely give him a leg up in the interview process as well. The Starkville, Mississippi native has quickly ascended the coaching ranks and has garnered some looks around the college football coaching circles for his impressive work as SMU’s offensive play caller.
The Mustangs rank 26th in total offense this season averaging 443 yards per game and rank 15th in scoring offense averaging 39 points per contest. Woods also has worked under a number of head coaches with strong pedigrees including Gus Malzhan, Hugh Freeze, Bill Clark, Eli Drinkwitz and currently Rhett Rashlee. Having a strong resume as a play caller, an above average recruiter and having many connections throughout the profession will definitely get the 41 year old plenty of looks and the UAB brass should definitely give him a call.
Joe Craddock-Tulane Offensive Coordinator
Joe Craddock shares many of the same enticing traits that the previously mentioned Casey Woods has. The Chelsea, Alabama native ironically enough, took over the tight ends coach role shortly after Casey Woods departed to take the Missouri tight ends coaching vacancy. He would stick around for two seasons before first time head coach Jon Sumrall tabbed him to be his offensive coordinator at Troy in 2022.
The Trojans would proceed to go on an outstanding 23-5 run over the next 2 seasons and win back to back Sun Belt Championships. He would follow his boss to Tulane and has done excellent work as the Green Wave’s offensive coordinator. Joe really upped the ante on the scoring end as the Green Wave are averaging a bombastic 40 points per contest and look to be in the running for the AAC crown.
The 39 year old, much like Woods, has strong connections around the coaching sphere, including Dabo Swinney, Bill Clark and currently Jon Sumrall. It could be a bit early for Craddock, as not many coaches under 40 years old get the chance to lead their own program, but he definitely has intriguing qualities that could make him an excellent choice to lead the Blazers.
Charles Huff-Marshall Head Coach
Heading back to the veteran market, Charles Huff has both Head Coach experience and familiarity with the region to make for a great choice at UAB. The 41 year old Denton, Maryland native has a 29-20 record as Head Coach of the Thundering Herd and has made a bowl game every year in his 4 seasons running the show. Huff also has experience in the state of Alabama as he was the Crimson Tide’s Runningbacks Coach from 2019-2020.
He is widely regarded as an excellent recruiter, especially with Runningbacks and it shows as the Thundering Herd finished with the second best recruiting class in the Sun Belt this past cycle. Experience, recruiting prowess and familiarity with the region are three very desirable traits for any candidate and Charles Huff just so happens to have the trio of strengths the Blazers will certainly look for in their next leader of men.
Tyson Helton-Western Kentucky Head Coach
Tyson has prior experience at UAB as he was a Quarterbacks and Runningbacks Coach from 2007-2012. Ever since being hired by Western Kentucky in 2019, Helton has turned the Hilltoppers into a consistent CUSA contender. In 6 seasons as the Head Coach, the 47 year old Gainesville Florida Native has a 47-29 record, including a trio of 9 win campaigns and a CUSA Championship appearance in 2021.
The Air Raid Offense might take some time to get used to for a program that has historically been a team that runs the football a lot. Trent Dilfer tried to implement an offense that passed the ball a bit more but hasn’t worked out well. But I’m confident Tyson Helton can get the players to buy into the Air Raid system relatively quickly. Hiring any Head Coach with a track record of success will always be a great hire in my book and while Tom Herman didn’t work out, that doesn’t mean Tyson Helton can’t work out. He has the experience and savvy scheming to be a success in Birmingham
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