Trent Dilfer caught texting on sidelines sparks concerns

UAB’s head coach caught attention before the game for an unusual pregame moment

UAB’s trip to Knoxville was always expected to end in a rough outing against a ranked Tennessee team. The Volunteers rolled to another high-scoring win, but what people are still talking about has little to do with the scoreboard. Cameras caught Blazers head coach Trent Dilfer on his phone just moments before kickoff, raising eyebrows across college football.

UAB Head Coach Trent Dilfer is locked in seconds before the kickoff pic.twitter.com/Bp0XhoyOXE

For a coach already under scrutiny, it wasn’t a great look. Since taking over in 2022, Dilfer has gone 9-19, and UAB has ranked near the bottom defensively. Fans were quick to question his focus, especially in a matchup where his team was already a heavy underdog.

The timing stood out because it’s rare to see a head coach on the sideline scrolling or typing during pregame buildup. It came against an SEC opponent in front of 100,000 fans at Neyland Stadium. The moment added to a string of odd optics for UAB, which also included a player stomping on Tennessee’s kicker during warmups.

Was Dilfer texting? Checking game notes? Or simply distracted? Whatever the answer, it struck a nerve. With his tenure already under pressure, every move is magnified. For UAB fans, the bigger question is whether their coach can get the program back on track, because phones won’t save the scoreboard.

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