On the eve of going after a second straight Tennessee high school football state championship, former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer told his team he’s accepted the head coaching job at UAB, the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dilfer, who won the Super Bowl XXXV MVP award with the Ravens in 2000, will still coach Thursday’s Division II-AA title game between Lipscomb Academy and Christ Presbyterian Academy. CPA is coached by another former NFL QB, Ingle Martin.
Related: HSFA 300 national rankings
Lipscomb Academy (12-0) is currently ranked No. 13 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. CPA is ranked No. 225 in America.
This will be the third year in a row that the two schools are playing for the Division II-AA state title. CPA won the title in 2020 with Lipscomb winning last year. During the regular season this year, Lipscomb won 43-21.
Watch: Dilfer talks with NFL Play Football about building Lipscomb Academy into a national power
Dilfer took-over the Nashville program in 2019. He heads into the championship game in Chattanooga with a record of 43-10 with the Mustangs.
Dilfer had a 14-season NFL career playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers.
“Having the opportunity to lead such a quality program like UAB is one that I am beyond excited about,” Dilfer said in a statement. “The investments the university has made for UAB Football aligns with my vision of taking this program to new heights as we join the American Athletic Conference and compete annually for the highest prize of playing in the College Football Playoff.”
Dilfer begins his duties at UAB on Friday.
