The Death & Rebirth of UAB Football

In December of 2014, College Football history was made for all the wrong reasons. The UAB Blazers announced that they would be discounting football at the University, which was the first time an FBS school had made this decision since Pacific in 1995. Although UAB wasn’t a powerhouse, this was still a program that had players and staff members who put in a lot of work everyday to make it all happen, and just like that, the lives of everyone involved with the program were changed forever, But fast forward to present day 2022, and UAB is playing football again at the highest level it's ever played. So the question is, how did UAB go from not playing football, to restarting the program and now, making a bowl game in 5 straight seasons. This is: the Death and Rebirth of UAB Football.

[@JKJ002]

With Bill Clark retiring due to medical issues, can UAB continue to this streak of bowl-eligible seasons? How good can they become in the AAC?

[@christianlopez5]

I think they can

[@Nonfiction79]

It will be an uphill fight for us but we will make it work.

[@waltercole5024]

UAB UTSA FAU will make some noise rather quickly in AAC. UAB has new 47,000 seat stadium downtown, New facilities, fast growing fanbase ,with increasing revenue, and exposure of ESPN in AAC UAB will compete for league championship quickly.

[@circeh9499]

This is one of the better tellings of this story, nice work. My dad was UAB's first head coach, all the way back in 1989 starting with the club team and working their way up from D3 to FCS in just 4 years. He was crushed when they shut down the program. He passed away in January, but i'll always be happy the last UAB game we watched together was beating #13 BYU in the independence bowl.

[@Nonfiction79]

My dad played for your dad 93-96. Coach Hilyer is still his favorite football coach ever.

[@Randyswag500]

He was a good coach

[@NothingButSilicone]

This is really cool. RIP to your father. I’m over here on the west coach, and my team is the Washington Huskies, so I’m far removed. But I’ve rooted for UAB ever since hearing they were going to shut down the program, and I was very pleased to hear about their return. I’ll never understand people that are Bandwagon jumpers, as well as those that don’t love a good underdog story. To me, it’s what college football is all about.

[@DasFood]

UAB's comeback has been such a feelgood story. I have no ties to the program, but I was pulling hard for them to come back. Nobody deserves to see their favorite team go away, especially not due to something as scummy as protecting the egos of larger programs.

[@nuraby_9228]

Fuck Bama and their Jim Crow alumni

[@NothingButSilicone]

And here we go again, just on a much larger scale. The PAC 12. I love my Huskies, but I don’t want to go to the Big Ten. Especially not due to networks having so much control. If it isn’t a bigger school causing havoc, it’s the networks. It’s sad what college football has become. It’s supposed to be about the student athletes, education, tradition, etc. It’s pretty much a professional league now.

[@tigerwareagle1485]

This needs to be a movie! Just like We Are Marshall. I’m an Auburn fan, but have a lot of respect for the UAB teams and fanbase. It made me smile when they returned to football.

[@macgoldie7771]

ROLL Tide

[@bradenclark3120]

I love these videos! I would highly suggest thinking about doing something on Utah State. From 1980-2010 they only had three winning seasons, only one conference championship, and one bowl victory. Since 2010, they have had seven winning seasons, nine bowl seasons, five bowl victories, three top 25 finishes, and two conference championships. Would be very cool to see it!

[@ryanmclaughlin3197]

Thank you so much for telling our story accurately. It feels like when people tell this story they leave out so many of the shady things the board did throughout the program’s tenure to actively sabotage it. Former President Carol Garrison was the biggest champion of athletics, including football. She retired out of the blue in July 2012 in a random 4pm email. Watts comes in, the study begins. Which was always suspicious to me, especially since she and the BOT regularly butted heads over football. By the way, the Board had the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s D1 hockey program nixed under very questionable circumstances that led them to reverse the decision after student outcry. However they never really recovered back to prev shutdown success

[@manohman7739]

Love these videos man! As a college football player and an aspiring future college coach it’s awesome to see the history of a program in a short nice video, keep it up bro I love these!

[@djisgud]

What college do you play at just asking?

[@elitelord5350]

UAB is one of my favorite CFB teams, but what sucks is they are never on TV, so I have to watch them through there IG stories

[@QWill7]

More espn and espn + games in the aac 🔥

[@lilyelena56]

espn+ is where we mainly play, we've been on tv more and more. but atleast it isnt CUSA tv like we sometimes play on in basketball.

[@threeo03]

Hopefully it will change when they join AAC

[@admiraltiberius1989]

Absolutely love your work !! The UAB logo/symbol is absolutely fantastic. I love the colors too.

[@ninjadanny628]

It is such a legendary story for their program. And I think you should have also talked about them being now being invited and going to join the American Athletic Conference in 2023 which will improve the games, exposure, and competitiveness for UAB. But I can’t wait to see how well they do in the future

[@WiscYinzer]

I'm a badgers fan, but when I was young UAB was my go to team to play as in NCAA football on the 360 and PS

[@The_Fumbles]

thats my school!! me and my roommates drove twelve hours to Florida to watch them win their first ever bowl game. one of my most memorable college experiences for sure.

[@Seanbonenfant_]

Great job, awesome video

[@JohnMurphy-wf2is]

Sorry, for the late reply. Really liking your videos, Jason. Keep it up!

[@JKJ002]

John, thank you so much for the continued support! It truly means a lot

[@johngray7117]

Amazing video man, it’s wonderful seeing UAB reaping the rewards of their comeback hoping they continue to have future success.

[@casey8696]

Great video!

[@hamburgermatty]

Man, UAB vs. Hawai’i… the first Hawai’i Bowl game that I ever watched in person. Glad that the Blazers regained their mojo! Such a sweet helmet!

[@aidanfusner229]

UPDATE: Clark eventually would’ve retired right before the 2022 season due to health issues with his back. Bryant Vincent was the interim and the Blazers went 7-6 with a Bahamas Bowl win over Miami (OH). However, a lot changed as the coaching staff was completely revamped. Trent Dilfer took the head coaching gig and brought along Alex Mortensen as OC and Sione Ta’ufo’ou as DC. They are now in the American conference and that is where we stand today. I really appreciate you for these vids.

[@Collegefootballproductions]

I vaguely remember hearing in 2014 them getting rid of the program but im glad it’s back

[@ShawnMichaelVincentIngram]

Cool story and enlightening information. Big ups...

[@luhjosh901]

great video!!!!

[@jamalpimpkiniii236]

Keep coming out with more we need more more more more in depth looks on programs schools uniforms fields stadiums moreeee

[@greatdays3584]

I have some suggestions: you could do a video on the rises of UTEP, Appalachian State, Marshall and Wyoming! This is a great, in-depth video. Much love.

[@JKJ002]

Thank you! Definitely looking to make a video on App State & Marshall at some point

[@lakerskid2013]

I never knew Roddy White and Joe Webb went to UAB. I do remember when the Blazers made that announcement with ending their football team. It’s definitely good to see them back, and them winning a bowl game in 2018 I believe has motivated them ever since. With them joining the American Conference, they’re going to put themselves in prime position to have a bright future ahead of them

[@Ply447]

Uab was the team i would build up in the ncaa games, was sad when they got shut down, but was happy to see them bounce back.

[@J-Strength1]

I remember when the story broke out and was heartbroken for the guys, the folks and staff at UA Birmingham and I think it's time for them to make a conference move after this next year

[@rocketsfan05]

I agree. It's a tricky game of waiting the right amount. Too early and you may join a conference that will go under in 2 years anyway. Join too late, and you may have lost out on an opportunity to move somewhere more competitively.

[@ryanmclaughlin3197]

We’re going to the AAC starting 2023!

[@ghostguy7]

As someone who very familiar with the area I can honestly say it's just a huge problem. The school keeps tearing down parking areas to build more student dorms and apartments do they can make more money. So parking or doing anything in the city is almost impossible. The football program was only brought back as a way to make money. The second it's no longer profitable it'll be gone again. The school does not care about students or players. They only care about their bottom line. And football culture in the country has become a cult/religion. It's a problem all to itself. I wish the school would put all this time and effort into making academia better for the students. Maybe take some of that money they're making to create new scholarships to lower the cost of attendance. The price of higher education in the country is also a joke because universities only see it as a way to make money. They don't care that theyre saddling these students with a life time of debt before they've even started life. UAB is one giant sess pool of problems and misdirected priorities.

[@fullbackdive41]

I really hope they keep getting bigger. They literally have a top 20 largest stadium that would be amazing to see rocking.

[@h..k7531]

They don’t play in Legion anymore. They have a brand new stadium on campus that opened last season.

[@fullbackdive41]

@@h..k7531 really they killed off the Grey Lady… that makes me sad. UAB was my favorite team to take in NCAA 14 and build up because they had that massive stadium.

[@daleearnhardtronnievanzant4372]

Wish they’d bring the Iron Bowl back to Legion Field every now and then. Probably won’t ever happen again since both Alabama and Auburn have massive on-campus stadiums, but I hope they keep the legacy of Legion Field going somehow. However I will also say that Protective Stadium is a very nice stadium and I think UAB will thrive there as much as the USFL did

[@joshuafannin1623]

Hey brother, awesome video. I played ball at MTSU 15-20 and I have an awesome idea for a video for you!

[@JKJ002]

I appreciate it! What's the idea?

[@joshuafannin1623]

Overall The offbeat strange history of MTSU Athletics haha( I blame Administration personally). It’s history of jumping from the FCS to D1 Winning the sunbelt then leaving on (from what I understand) bad terms, that I believe affected our ability to return haha after the recent exodus of CUSA. All centered around Coach Stockstill who has ties to sooooo many people in the world of football, and who is by my own personal account and many others the ultimate “Players Coach” - and His son who was my QB was the Ultimate warrior and leader. Stockstill has been MTSU’s head coach I wanna say over 20 years now. Feel free to reach out for any info

[@XxRageRightsxX]

You should do Tennessees rise and fall(and hopefully rise again with the big signings)

[@Skippz2282]

Can you make a video on San Diego State

[@christianlopez5]

Can you do the fall of Florida st football

[@Ramen_Hibachi]

Can you do the fall of Boise State?

[@Toxicity0069]

Do USF next

[@domtom9594]

I hate how the trustee board showed favoritism towards Crimson and Auburn compare to other University programs that probably have better education and athleticism than playing football. Glad UAB came back in a Cinderella style story that gotten everyone to respect them.

[@austinmcbarner6648]

To be fair, Auburn isn’t part of that system. Just Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville. Birmingham generates 3x the money that Tuscaloosa does but Tuscaloosa makes all the decisions for the three schools.

[@alaskanyeti907]

The University of Alaska Anchorage's D1 hockey program just went through a similar situation, hopefully it turns out like UAB! Really happy for them

[@daleearnhardtronnievanzant4372]

UAB’s sister university UAH (University of Alabama at Huntsville) similarly lost their D1 Hockey program recently and I’m hoping for a miracle there too

[@brooklynsadler2292]

You know I ain't going to lie being a BYU fan that bowl game last year was a hard loss to swallow but I'm happy for your guys's program and I continue to hope you succeed. for a long time I've heard all about how UAB isn't getting good and all this stuff and I was sad to see that you guys had to get rid of football for a little while with the climate of college sports right now everything is so crazy it's good to see the little guys come back and get a win against the Blue bloods

[@spiderchaw5153]

their old stadium was in the slums

[@matthewtrehern448]

We definitely gonna run that ball!

[@JKJ002]

& that’s a big testament to the work you & the rest of the line put in every day. Of course there’s talent in the RB room but none of the success on Offense is possible without the line

[@Ramen_Hibachi]

Can you do the Rise of App State or the fall of Nebraska?

[@33SportsOffical]

i think he did app state already

[@jaykenny8256]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHmZY4tqe5aSoac

[@JKJ002]

Haven’t done one on App State…. yet..

[@datboybobby]

My former highschool teammate Lamarcus Famer was on the UAB team when they shut down.

[@Gmoney00718]

What’d he say about it

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

It was Ruth Bartow and Ina Leonard who were against UAB football. And Ina was my aunt at the time and a blazer club basketball booster. When I worked at Bartow arena in ,2000-2008 I was caught in the middle of a political situation I could not comment about with Ina as the legal counsel in the UAB presidents office at the time

[@jtvn8600]

I actually never knew that this happened until a year ago

[@jacksonmilton-owens6344]

Your video description says “discounting” not “discontinuing” just so you know!

[@christopherjustice6411]

*Cries in Wichita State*

[@ashtonramsey4160]

I know the current UAB running back Dewayne McBride Bc his mom works with my dad in Florida where he graduated high school

[@TheBML2]

I hope you do something on TTU

[@voiceofreason2674]

UAB beat Lsu in Nick Saban first season. Then ULM beat Bama in Nick Saban first season there

[@lrgcokewithlemon]

Current student, Go Blazers ☝🏾💚💛 also we hate Pres. Ray Watts 😒🙂

[@NothingButSilicone]

If it isn’t a larger program like Alabama calling the shots, it’s the networks. RIP PAC 12. Sad what college football has become.

[@RedBluePurple_____________YT]

UAB is the second best school in the state of Alabama. Only behind the Crimson Tide, and ranked above Troy university.

[@nubian47]

Welcome to the Minnesota Vikings Mr McBride

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

"Sansa stark" sharing den adel.

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

Sharon den adel from within temptation might really be my sister.

[@finesseeslim9212]

should do Syracuse football

[@scooby-doofan1849]

I agree. It’ll be interesting if Dino Babers can make it past the 2022 season.

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

She is one year older than me.

[@sebifry1963]

U been gone for to long 😢

[@JKJ002]

I'll be back very soon.

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

Until Ruth Bartow passed.

[@USM4LYFE]

So one for Southern Mississippi ! #SMTTT

[@possiblykamau5043]

You should do Florida A&M football

[@craigaweigle]

The extra inflection and emPHASis on the wrong sylLABle or word is grating. It’s good information man…just talk to us like you talk normally.

[@codywarhawk7099]

You know that the minute UAB beats Bama, the Alabama Board of Regents is gonna shut them down again because the ABOR is petty and pathetic.

[@FoxxMulderr]

They'll always be in the shadow of all the big bois around them, like Bama, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, etc.

[@spencerjackson3754]

Whoa Auburn had nothing to do with them dying leave us out of it

[@rileykazama3145]

The program came back like the Winnipeg jets came back

[@chunklite6207]

A Boise state video would be interesting with all the head coach changing and quick rise to become “the non power 5 team “.

[@nyfinest017]

UAB board of trustee didn't look at what the future would have brought them rather than to focus on the immediate. Football is king in Alabama, this is true in many colleges around the nation and this move cost them the trust of the community. I watched that video where the players and staff called their bs. That was raw emotions from young adults who traveled across the US to play for that team and those greedy bastards only focused on the money.

[@brian2440]

But see here’s what doesn’t make any sense…. Now the SEC claims that the reason they play additional FCS teams is to support local programs and give them funding. Yet Alabama has NEVER played UAB, and UAB has a history of needing additional funds. So that SEC claim appears to be 100% bs

[@nyfinest017]

@@brian2440 The SEC is full of sh*t. They will play lower teams that will bring them money and UAB in their eyes is not worthy. It brings me joy when a minor scho upsets a big time college team.

[@Oregonman2011]

@@nyfinest017 most of the SEC has played against UAB before. It’s Bama that won’t schedule them they don’t want any competition in their own state which is pretty pathetic for a school like Alabama

[@tristanjohnson4651]

Please do temple football

[@tristanjohnson4651]

Great content btw. Really good production and sound quality!

[@charleswilliamsjr]

Didn't UAB discontinued football and came back!

[@noelramirez1551]

Yea that's the whole point of the video

[@areguapiri]

Duuuuhhh....😂

[@almostahero6]

I mean for someone who lives in Bham, I gotta mention that every road in and out and around Legion field and even the new Protective life stadium are garbage, Literally potholes and gashes in the roadways in pretty much all of bham. For a city always rebuilding, the roads are the last care of Bham.. trust me, doesn't sound like much, but noone is going to risk there cars to come watch a game, thats some sad shit.... just look into our roads, even Obama bashed us on it...lmao...and yes Money is always an issue,,, just look at OUR ROADSSSS lmao.

[@daleearnhardtronnievanzant4372]

Lmao they’ll never repair these roads I’ll be in the nursing home by the time they’re done fixing that mess they call 20/59 from Arkadelphia Road to McCalla

[@EU_Red_Fox]

Can you provide all of your sources please. You could make up any of these things (that are not record based and similar) you say and people would basically have to fact check it all. Just a tip if you want to make historical/documentary sports videos

[@EU_Red_Fox]

Okay I don’t think you are trying to be accurate with the off the field details watching this back. You seem less like your telling the actual story and more like a cheerleader for college football. The sport has no god given right to be at any school, so while it might’ve been the wrong decision you going on a pedestal about it is odd.

[@JKJ002]

Okay thanks Austin, great advice. Next time I’ll try to tailor more towards what you think is accurate & tell the actual story rather than just being a cheerleader

[@SW.Productions]

Go kick rocks Austin. You probably got beat up in the lunch line as a kid

[@legionsoldier8518]

@@SW.Productions facts

[@OrthoBro92]

Ratio bozo

[@BrandonVlogs000]

UAB football still sucks, honestly I don’t even know why they have a football team.

[@cedricbelleblazerfan]

To what degree do they suck, comparing them to power 5 would be crazy.

[@jonathoncardwell6786]

Now people can say good things about me if they remember any good things about me. Lol....just try not to threaten Anna Chapman or Russia I really do have a set of twins with her I am finding out.

[@StevenChappell]

While a decent story, it has some inaccuracies. For example, the study cited used to kill football turns out to have been faked, and was not real by any metric.

[@JKJ002]

That’s why I said in response to that, that there were conflicting reports on how much money UAB would’ve lost, if they even would’ve lost any.

[@bamainatlanta]

Still mostly empty seats. U Aint Bama.