It’s only been a decade since UAB revived its football program after shutting it down in 2014. And since then, the Blazers have had three head coaches. The program has been steadily searching for a suitable replacement for Trent Dilfer, and a surprising new candidate appears to have emerged from the ranks.

Ever since Bill Clark—the lore HC for Blazer fans—resigned from the program, things have gone downhill for UAB. Trent Dilfer’s 9-21 record after spending more than two years with the Blazers was unacceptable, which led to his exit. The school, since then, has been actively looking at candidates. But per FootballScoop, UAB seems to be leaning towards SMU’s OC, Casey Woods.

Woods has emerged as a serious “target of interest” in the Blazers’ HC search, the publication reported. He was also on the “heels of an interview” with the program. The Mustangs’ OC has never held a head position in coaching before. But UAB isn’t exclusively looking for candidates with that experience. But what makes Woods an interesting choice are his connections to UAB and his track record so far.

He was part of the essential crew, helmed by Bill Clark, until 2019 at Birmingham. Woods served as TE coach and run game coordinator, and also looked after recruiting. Casey Woods helped design the brilliant 2018 offense that brought a conference title for the first time to UAB. In essence, he has seen UAB grow into being a disruptor from zero. Before this gig, he helped bring a BCS National Championship to Auburn in 2014, with then-OC Rhett Lashlee.

At SMU, he’s created one brilliant offense after another. In 2024, the Mustangs hauled in a total of 511 points—the third-highest total in the country. And his help in the team reaching its first-ever playoff bid is impossible to ignore. SMU, in 2025, is close to making a return to that very spot. After 10 games, the Mustangs have hauled in 322 points—the 5 best in the ACC. The Mustangs are charging through unbeaten at 406.6 yards per game and 32.2 points per game.

Casey Woods’ familiarity with the state of Alabama is also a key factor that makes him a top choice. That, along with his success as an OC and his experience in reviving programs, makes him a strong candidate. But there is also another interesting overlap that makes Woods a done deal for UAB.

Casey Woods has an in because of AD Mark Ingram

AD Mark Ingram and Casey Woods can both call themselves former Vols. But their playing careers at Rocky Top are at least a decade apart. But Woods and Ingram were at Rocky Top during the former’s time as a Vols WR. During Woods’ final season, Ingram was the senior associate deputy AD for Tennessee. Woods also immediately began coaching as a GA at Tennessee in 2008, which brought him a bit nearer to Ingram.

According to FootballScoop, the SMU OC is in the mix with Steve Englehart (Presbyterian), Mike Jacobs (Mercer), Lance Taylor (WMU), and Ryan Beard (Missouri State). All of them have been “vetted” in the UAB search. But Woods’s prowess, his UAB roots, and steady growth as an assistant give him enough advantage to beat out the rest. He has been racking up success after success for quite some time now.

Will Woods be ready to take up the HC role and also be successful with it? The wheels at UAB football had fallen off a few seasons ago, and he’d been here to repair them the first time. But will Casey Woods leave the program, which is now part of the top ranks in the country? It’s not going to be an easy decision for the OC.