By Kyle Parmley
For The Tribune
BIRMINGHAM — The future of UAB football remains unknown as rumors continue to swirl regarding the possibility of the program closing its doors, and UAB fans are not sitting idly by waiting to hear their fate.
On Sunday at 7 p.m., hundreds of UAB fans and supporters took part in a makeshift rally on the Campus Green, sporting signs with marks of “#FreeUAB” and “Save UAB Football.” Players, assistant coaches and students took the time to share their thoughts and some of the marching band showed up to play the fight song. The rally was organized with just over four hours notice and spread via word of mouth and social media platforms to respond to media reports earlier in the day.
Early Sunday afternoon, ESPN’s Joe Schad reported that UAB head football coach Bill Clark feared that the program would be “shut down,” one day after the Blazers’ final regular season game, a victory at Southern Miss.
The win against the Golden Eagles gave UAB a 6-6 record on the season, making them eligible to be selected to a bowl game for just the second time in school history. Ten years ago, the Blazers defeated Baylor, TCU and Mississippi State on their way to a berth in the 2004 Hawaii Bowl.
Monday morning presents another chance for the Green and Gold family to display its displeasure. There is a plan to march from the Campus Green to the UAB Administration Building at 9 a.m.
Sports Illustrated’s Thayer Evans also reported that UAB Athletic Director Brian Mackin would be fired along with the program closing its doors, all to be announced later in the week.
The concern over the football program started a few weeks ago, as some former players began to express concern over the fact that UAB has no non-conference football games scheduled beyond 2016. Clark also signed a three-year contract when he took the job, through 2016. Three-year deals are a rarity for FBS coaches.
UAB administration has made no public comments regarding the developing situation.
There are currently six players on the UAB roster from The Trussville Tribune coverage area. Senior running back D.J. Vinson, redshirt freshman safety T.J. McCollum, sophomore running back Marcus Reaves and redshirt freshman linebacker Brandon Fuller all played at Clay-Chalkville High School. Junior wide receiver Jamal Hundley and freshman linebacker Joseph Roberts played at Hewitt-Trussville High School.