UAB Blazers football: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:UAB Blazers full-dragon logo.gif|right|275px]]
[[Image:UAB Blazers full-dragon logo.gif|right|275px]]
'''UAB Blazers football''' was the intercollegiate men's football program for the [[UAB Blazers]] athletics department.
'''UAB Blazers football''' is the intercollegiate men's football program for the [[UAB]] [[UAB Blazers|Blazers]]' athletics department. Under head coach [[Bill Clark]] the blazers use [[Birmingham]]'s [[Legion Field]] for home games and competes in Conference USA. The program was terminated in December [[2014]] as the result of a strategic review of university programs. After months of protest and grassroots fund-raising, UAB announced on [[June 1]], [[2015]] that it planned to re-instate the program.


The Blazers created a club team in [[1989]] and began competing Division III of the NCAA in [[1991]]. [[Jim Hilyer]] was the first head coach, from [[1991]]-[[1994]]. [[Watson Brown]] took over as head coach in [[1995]] and oversaw the team's advancement into Division I-A in [[1996]], and its acceptance into Conference USA in [[1999]]. UAB played its home football games at [[Legion Field]].
UAB's football program began as a club sport in [[1989]], and moved to NCAA Division III in [[1991]] under head coach [[Jim HIlyer]]. At the time, the prospect of moving up to Division I status seemed remote. Athletic director [[Gene Bartow]] had been promoting the idea that UAB should field a full-fledged team, but [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] head coach [[Bill Curry]] expressed the view of the [[University of Alabama Board of Trustees]] that the Crimson Tide, which still played a few games at [[Legion Field]] each year, was Birmingham's home team, and that there would be no support for dividing that loyalty. On the other hand, [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] coach [[Pat Dye]] expressed support for the possibility.


In [[2000]], the Blazers won a monumental victory by defeating [[Nick Saban]]'s LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. In [[2004]], UAB earned their first bowl trip, losing to the University of Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.
A change in NCAA rules forced UAB to advance to Division I much earlier than anyone expected in order to maintain the status of its successful [[UAB Blazers men's basketball]] program. [[Watson Brown]] was hired to succeed Hilyer, and he shepherded the team to Division I beginning in [[1996 UAB Blazers football team|1996]]. UAB joined the newly-formed Conference USA in [[1999]]. Brown's [[2000 UAB Blazers football team]] upset [[Nick Saban]]'s LSU Tigers 13-10 at Baton Rouge on the way to an overall 7-4 record. During that year, Bartow retired and was succeeded by [[Herman Frazier]] as athletic director.


Following the 3-9 [[2006 UAB Blazers|2006 season]], Watson Brown resigned to take the head coaching job at Tennessee Tech, in his home town. The search for a replacement focused first on Louisiana State University assistant Jimbo Fisher, but the [[University of Alabama Board of Trustees]] rejected the proposed contract amount. Georgia offensive coordinator [[Neil Callaway]] was named head coach on [[December 17]], [[2006]]. He compiled an 18-42 record over five seasons and resigned under pressure on [[November 27]], [[2011]].
On [[April 19]], [[2002]] University of Alabama trustee [[Joe Fine]] submitted a resolution, approve by the board, which required UAB to eliminate the operating deficit in its athletic department within two years or be shut down. That July [[Carol Garrison]] was named president of UAB. She initiated a strategic plan aimed at improving campus life for undergraduate students, including an [[UAB on-campus stadium|on-campus stadium]] and improved facilities for the football team. Watson Brown assumed the role of athletic director with the departure of Frazier in [[2003]] and headed fund-raising efforts that reduced the athletic deficit from $7.6 million to about $5 million. Armed with tangible progress, Garrison presented her strategic plan to the Board of Trustees in July [[2003]] and won a resolution of support from the board.


A proposal to build an [[UAB football stadium|on-campus football stadium]] was rejected by the [[University of Alabama Board of Trustees]] in [[2011]]. Through its marketing department, the team has sought to establish the University of Memphis as its primary on-field rival, creating the "[[Battle for the Bones]]" trophy for the winner of the annual match-up.
The [[2004 UAB Blazers football team|2004 team]], with star receiver [[Roddy White]],  went 7-4 with an upset of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and earned the Blazers their first Top 25 ranking and first bowl invitation. They lost to the University of Hawai'i in the Hawai'i Bowl a score of 59-40.
 
The [[2006 UAB Blazers|2006 season]] marked the debut of the "[[Battle for the Bones]]" trophy awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry with the Memphis Bulldogs. UAB's 35-29 victory over Memphis was a small bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 3-9 season which was also marred by disciplinary issues. Watson Brown stepped down as head coach to become full-time athletic director, then left that role in December to accept the head coaching job at Tennessee Tech in his home town of Cookeville, Tennessee.
 
UAB made offers to assistant [[Pat Sullivan]] and to LSU assistant Jimbo Fisher to step in as head football coach, but the Board of Trustees rejected both proposals as too expensive. Instead Georgia offensive coordinator [[Neil Callaway]] was hired to succeed Brown.
 
Callaway's [[2007 UAB Blazers football team|2007 team]] went 2-9 and finished last in C-USA's East Division. In [[2008 UAB Blazers football team|2008]] the team improved to 4-8 with help from dual-threat junior quarterback [[Joe Webb]]. During that year UA System chancellor [[Malcolm Portera]] reviewed a report on the possibility of dropping football at UAB which concluded that the Blazers' athletic budget was a smaller percentage of university revenues than many of its peers', but that too much of that budget was taken from internal sources such as student fees. No action was taken.
 
The [[2009 UAB Blazers football team|next season]] the team improved to 5-7, welcoming nearly 27,000 to Legion Field for a nationally-televised 30-17 victory over Southern Miss. The [[2010 UAB Blazers football team|2010 UAB Blazers]] failed to maintain momentum, and dropped to 4-8 with blowout losses to Southern Methodist and Central Florida and a gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. The Blazers continued to backpedal with a 3-9 [[2011 UAB Blazers football team|2011 season]] which began with six straight losses followed by a 26-24 home game against Central Florida at which only 8,872 fans showed up. A detailed proposal presented by vice president [[Richard Margison]] for the financing of an [[UAB football stadium|on-campus football stadium]] was removed from the Board of Trustees' agenda without debate on [[November 1]], [[2011]]. Callaway, with a 18-42 record over five years, resigned under pressure on [[November 27]].
 
Through its marketing department, the team has sought to establish the University of Memphis as its primary on-field rival, creating the "[[Battle for the Bones]]" trophy for the winner of the annual match-up.


Callaway's replacement, [[Garrick McGee]], had even less success in two seasons, going 5-19 before he resigned to join Bobby Petrino's staff at the University of Louisville. He was succeeded by [[Jacksonville State Gamecocks]] coach [[Bill Clark]], who engineered a turnaround of fortunes for the [[2014 UAB Blazers football team]]. The team became bowl eligible with a 6-6 record after defeating the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 45-24 on the road on [[November 29]].  
Callaway's replacement, [[Garrick McGee]], had even less success in two seasons, going 5-19 before he resigned to join Bobby Petrino's staff at the University of Louisville. He was succeeded by [[Jacksonville State Gamecocks]] coach [[Bill Clark]], who engineered a turnaround of fortunes for the [[2014 UAB Blazers football team]]. The team became bowl eligible with a 6-6 record after defeating the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 45-24 on the road on [[November 29]].  

Revision as of 21:37, 1 June 2015

UAB Blazers full-dragon logo.gif

UAB Blazers football is the intercollegiate men's football program for the UAB Blazers' athletics department. Under head coach Bill Clark the blazers use Birmingham's Legion Field for home games and competes in Conference USA. The program was terminated in December 2014 as the result of a strategic review of university programs. After months of protest and grassroots fund-raising, UAB announced on June 1, 2015 that it planned to re-instate the program.

UAB's football program began as a club sport in 1989, and moved to NCAA Division III in 1991 under head coach Jim HIlyer. At the time, the prospect of moving up to Division I status seemed remote. Athletic director Gene Bartow had been promoting the idea that UAB should field a full-fledged team, but Alabama head coach Bill Curry expressed the view of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees that the Crimson Tide, which still played a few games at Legion Field each year, was Birmingham's home team, and that there would be no support for dividing that loyalty. On the other hand, Auburn coach Pat Dye expressed support for the possibility.

A change in NCAA rules forced UAB to advance to Division I much earlier than anyone expected in order to maintain the status of its successful UAB Blazers men's basketball program. Watson Brown was hired to succeed Hilyer, and he shepherded the team to Division I beginning in 1996. UAB joined the newly-formed Conference USA in 1999. Brown's 2000 UAB Blazers football team upset Nick Saban's LSU Tigers 13-10 at Baton Rouge on the way to an overall 7-4 record. During that year, Bartow retired and was succeeded by Herman Frazier as athletic director.

On April 19, 2002 University of Alabama trustee Joe Fine submitted a resolution, approve by the board, which required UAB to eliminate the operating deficit in its athletic department within two years or be shut down. That July Carol Garrison was named president of UAB. She initiated a strategic plan aimed at improving campus life for undergraduate students, including an on-campus stadium and improved facilities for the football team. Watson Brown assumed the role of athletic director with the departure of Frazier in 2003 and headed fund-raising efforts that reduced the athletic deficit from $7.6 million to about $5 million. Armed with tangible progress, Garrison presented her strategic plan to the Board of Trustees in July 2003 and won a resolution of support from the board.

The 2004 team, with star receiver Roddy White, went 7-4 with an upset of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and earned the Blazers their first Top 25 ranking and first bowl invitation. They lost to the University of Hawai'i in the Hawai'i Bowl a score of 59-40.

The 2006 season marked the debut of the "Battle for the Bones" trophy awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry with the Memphis Bulldogs. UAB's 35-29 victory over Memphis was a small bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 3-9 season which was also marred by disciplinary issues. Watson Brown stepped down as head coach to become full-time athletic director, then left that role in December to accept the head coaching job at Tennessee Tech in his home town of Cookeville, Tennessee.

UAB made offers to assistant Pat Sullivan and to LSU assistant Jimbo Fisher to step in as head football coach, but the Board of Trustees rejected both proposals as too expensive. Instead Georgia offensive coordinator Neil Callaway was hired to succeed Brown.

Callaway's 2007 team went 2-9 and finished last in C-USA's East Division. In 2008 the team improved to 4-8 with help from dual-threat junior quarterback Joe Webb. During that year UA System chancellor Malcolm Portera reviewed a report on the possibility of dropping football at UAB which concluded that the Blazers' athletic budget was a smaller percentage of university revenues than many of its peers', but that too much of that budget was taken from internal sources such as student fees. No action was taken.

The next season the team improved to 5-7, welcoming nearly 27,000 to Legion Field for a nationally-televised 30-17 victory over Southern Miss. The 2010 UAB Blazers failed to maintain momentum, and dropped to 4-8 with blowout losses to Southern Methodist and Central Florida and a gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. The Blazers continued to backpedal with a 3-9 2011 season which began with six straight losses followed by a 26-24 home game against Central Florida at which only 8,872 fans showed up. A detailed proposal presented by vice president Richard Margison for the financing of an on-campus football stadium was removed from the Board of Trustees' agenda without debate on November 1, 2011. Callaway, with a 18-42 record over five years, resigned under pressure on November 27.

Through its marketing department, the team has sought to establish the University of Memphis as its primary on-field rival, creating the "Battle for the Bones" trophy for the winner of the annual match-up.

Callaway's replacement, Garrick McGee, had even less success in two seasons, going 5-19 before he resigned to join Bobby Petrino's staff at the University of Louisville. He was succeeded by Jacksonville State Gamecocks coach Bill Clark, who engineered a turnaround of fortunes for the 2014 UAB Blazers football team. The team became bowl eligible with a 6-6 record after defeating the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 45-24 on the road on November 29.

The day after that win, speculation grew that the Alabama Board of Trustees were planning to shut down UAB's football program. Students and supporters rallied at the UAB Campus Green and in front of the UAB Administration Building seeking a statement of support from UAB president Ray Watts. Watts announced on December 2 that following a strategic planning process, the university would terminate its football, rifle and bowling programs at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year.


UAB Football Coaches
Coach Years Wins-Losses
Jim Hilyer 1991-1994 27-12-2 (.692)
Watson Brown 1995-2006 62-74 (.456)
Neil Callaway 2007- 2011 18-42 (.300)
Garrick McGee 2011-2013 5-19 (.208)
Bill Clark 2011-2013 6-6 (.500)
Overall 117-150-2 (.439)

NFL players

  • Jake Arians, kicker, Buffalo Bills (2001)
  • Kyle Bissinger, linebacker, New England Patriots (2007)
  • Rodregis Brooks, cornerback, Indianapolis Colts (2001)
  • Chris Brown, cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)
  • Pernell Davis, defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles (1999)
  • Josh Evans, defensive tackle, Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1995-2001), New York Jets (2002-4)
  • Carl Fair, running back, Cleveland Browns (2001)
  • Eddie Freeman, defensive end/tackle, Kansas City Chiefs (2002-3)
  • Darrell Hackney, quarterback, Cleveland Browns (2006), Denver Broncos (2007–)
  • Chris Hubbard, offensive lineman, Pittsburgh Steelers (2013-)
  • Otis Leverette, defensive end, Washington Redskins (2001-2), San Diego Chargers (2003), San Francisco 49ers (2004)
  • Matt McCants, offensive lineman, New York Giants (2012-13), Oakland Raiders (2013-)
  • Izell Reese, cornerback/safety, Dallas Cowboys (1998-2001), Denver Broncos (2002), Buffalo Bills (2003-4)
  • Dainon Sydney, cornerback, Tennessee Titans (1998-2002), Buffalo Bills (2003)
  • Joe Webb, quarterback/wide receiver, Minnesota Vikings (2010–)
  • Bryan Thomas, defensive end, New York Jets (2002-)
  • Corey White, running back, Green Bay Packers (2007)
  • Roddy White, wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons (2005-)
  • Julius Wilson, offensive tackle, Miami Dolphins (2007-)
  • Zac Woodfin, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens (2005-)

References

External links

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