The UAB Blazers football team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in American football, competing in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the American Athletic Conference. Following the firing of head coach Trent Dilfer in October 2025, the program is currently led by interim head coach Alex Mortensen. The team plays its home games at Protective Stadium, a facility with a capacity of over 47,000 that opened in Birmingham in 2021.
The program is notable for its resilience, having been discontinued after the 2014 season due to budget concerns before being reinstated in 2017 following widespread public support. This revival story captured national attention and demonstrated the significant role of collegiate athletics within a community. The team's return to competition has been marked by a successful transition to a modern stadium and continued participation at the highest level of college football.
Recently, UAB football has been in the news due to a serious off-field incident. According to multiple sports news reports from late November 2025, two players were stabbed by a teammate at a football facility. This event, which occurred ahead of a scheduled game, resulted in the hospitalization of the two victims and has drawn significant media attention to the program.
This incident represents a sudden challenge for the team amid its ongoing season and coaching transition. The program has issued a statement acknowledging the situation, which remains under investigation. Such events highlight the complex issues that can occasionally arise within collegiate athletic departments beyond the competition on the field.
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- Two UAB players reportedly stabbed at football facility just hours before game; One taken into custody - 1819 News 2025-11-23 02:19 · 1819 News
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