Good for them. They totally got F'd when the program was shut down in the first place.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/01/uab-football-to-be-reinstated-and-return-to-c-usa-play-eventually/
Earlier Monday it was reported that the shuttered UAB football program would be reinstated. Now, we have some details of how the rebuilding will take place.
At a press conference Monday evening, president Ray Watts and athletic director Mark Ingram confirmed that the football Blazers will indeed be returning to the university. It was Watts’ controversial decision to axe the football program in the first place last December.
When asked about the about-face, Watts stated that he didn’t want to dwell on the past.
“I don’t want pursue a lot of time looking back. … [It’s time for] healing and moving ahead,” Watts said in a press conference that essentially raised more questions than provided answers, adding in what will be a controversial comment that there was no “tangible” support financially when the initial decision was made.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/01/uab-football-to-be-reinstated-and-return-to-c-usa-play-eventually/
Earlier Monday it was reported that the shuttered UAB football program would be reinstated. Now, we have some details of how the rebuilding will take place.
At a press conference Monday evening, president Ray Watts and athletic director Mark Ingram confirmed that the football Blazers will indeed be returning to the university. It was Watts’ controversial decision to axe the football program in the first place last December.
When asked about the about-face, Watts stated that he didn’t want to dwell on the past.
“I don’t want pursue a lot of time looking back. … [It’s time for] healing and moving ahead,” Watts said in a press conference that essentially raised more questions than provided answers, adding in what will be a controversial comment that there was no “tangible” support financially when the initial decision was made.
The reason UAB football is coming back is because of some big time donors stepping up. I can't confirm this (rumor for now) one person or group of persons guaranteed $20 million for 2016 and others have committed to help with campus facilities. UAB is a GREAT university with little support for football...maybe if they can get a campus stadium and a little help from Auburn and Alabama...like good paydays for playing every other year, they can make a go of this thing.
It's time for Alabama to play UAB every other year rather than pay Western Carolina, Georgia State and Charleston Southern for God's sake who they play this year with big paydays. Bama can't sell out these bullshit games because no one cares. UAB would at least create some interest for Alabama people. Division II North Alabama would kick Charleston Southern's ass. Its embarrassing.
It's time for Alabama to play UAB every other year rather than pay Western Carolina, Georgia State and Charleston Southern for God's sake who they play this year with big paydays. Bama can't sell out these bullshit games because no one cares. UAB would at least create some interest for Alabama people. Division II North Alabama would kick Charleston Southern's ass. Its embarrassing.
been bitching about this for years. Why would Bama and the barn continue to give surrounding state's programs (Ga State, Ga Southern, UL Monroe, etc) millions of dollars when they could be getting the same result and keep the money in-state with UAB, SoBama, and Troy? Not like UAB and Troy are asking for home-and-home...Never made sense especially with UA and UAB who are part of the same school system. But now that old fuck Bryant, and his UAB vendetta, is off the UA board things can actually change
Coach Clark is a good football man and given some time would make UAB respectable. He comes from the Alabama high school ranks so he has great contacts among the state's high school coaches which will help recruiting.
Damn, I don't know what the guy is going to do to get ready for 2016. I'm guessing you will see a ton of freshman and JUCO players come opening game. Really difficult job he's facing just replacing all the players who left.
No way UAB plays a D1 schedule in 2016. They are essentially starting from scratch. They would be lucky to field the equivalent of a D2 team (not 1AA, but D2) in 2016.... They should start building a roster in 2016, play a 1AA schedule in 2017, and D1 in 2018. Meanwhile they can look to get an on campus stadium.
i covered some of that history in here: http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1007459&p=10856433
RT, if they schedule McNeese in 2016 they lose. They will seriously be lucky to have a roster full of D2 talent (not 1AA, but D2).
Usually when a team starts from scratch they will build a roster for 1 full year....and during the fall they just practice and have scrimmages vs themselves. Then the following season, they continue to build the roster and schedule a short season (9, 10 games). Then, in the 3rd season they will play a full schedule. This is what Kennesaw State (in Atlanta) is doing. East Tennessee State similar approach.
If they play football in 2016 they will be winless.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...017-a-more-ideal-target-for-football-revival/
UAB President says 2017 is "more realistic"
Nothing is certain at this point, but it sounds as though the return of UAB’s recently revived football program will have to wait until 2017. That target return date appears to be the most ideal timeline for UAB Athletics Director Mark Ingram.
“It’s more ideal if we tried to do it in (2017), so we didn’t do it so rushed,” Ingram said, per Al.com. “Let’s do it right rather than fast so that we keep all these things at the forefront – the safety (of players) and the respect of our peers. But if we found out through various channels that playing in (2016) was our only option, that’s what we’ll do.”
Ingram is absolutely right when suggesting the school should take as much time as needed to make sure all the pieces are in place for bringing the football program back in good form. If that means staying away for an extra year rather than rush to get back on the field in 2016 (we already knew 2015 would be impossible), then so be it. It may not be what fans will want to hear, but if it means better long-term security as a football program then it will be something the Blazer faithful — and they have been plenty faithful in the past eight months — will have to accept.
UAB President says 2017 is "more realistic"
Nothing is certain at this point, but it sounds as though the return of UAB’s recently revived football program will have to wait until 2017. That target return date appears to be the most ideal timeline for UAB Athletics Director Mark Ingram.
“It’s more ideal if we tried to do it in (2017), so we didn’t do it so rushed,” Ingram said, per Al.com. “Let’s do it right rather than fast so that we keep all these things at the forefront – the safety (of players) and the respect of our peers. But if we found out through various channels that playing in (2016) was our only option, that’s what we’ll do.”
Ingram is absolutely right when suggesting the school should take as much time as needed to make sure all the pieces are in place for bringing the football program back in good form. If that means staying away for an extra year rather than rush to get back on the field in 2016 (we already knew 2015 would be impossible), then so be it. It may not be what fans will want to hear, but if it means better long-term security as a football program then it will be something the Blazer faithful — and they have been plenty faithful in the past eight months — will have to accept.
