BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB Director of Athletics, Mark Ingram, announced a five year extension of head football coach Bill Clark’s contract Wednesday, prompting fans of the school’s newly revived program to partake in a pep rally and press conference for Blazer Football that afternoon
The Conference USA Coach of the Year led the Blazers to a 6-6 record in 2014 and bowl eligibility for the first time in a decade.
Clark’s contract began officially on June 1, with guaranteed 5 years in the program—through the 2019 season. The head football coach’s salary will be between $600,000-$700,000 a year with bonus incentives.
Clark has been the the head coach at UAB since 2014 and said he looks forward to getting back on the field for the 2017 season.
“My family and I want to thank UAB, Mark Ingram, Dr. Ray Watts and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to me as UAB’s head football coach,” said Clark after the contract was made public. “We are doing this and doing it right – today’s announcement sends that message loud and clear.”
Mark Ingram says he is also looking toward the future for the UAB football program.
“The university looks forward to the next phase of UAB Football. We will continue raising philanthropic support needed for facilities and will move forward with our plan to play a complete FBS schedule as a full member of Conference USA in 2017,” Ingram said. “I am as happy as our fans, alumni, donors and community that Bill Clark will continue to be our coach. This is another day of celebration for UAB, with many more to come.”
The UAB football program’s future was shaky at best 6 months ago due to financial concerns, but since the celebrated reinstatement of the program in June the team and UAB community looks to be building itself one heck of a comeback in the 2017 season.
Fans can already reserve Blazer Football season tickets for a deposit of only $25.
The pep rally is open to the public and will will feature remarks by both Head Coach Bill Clark and Director of Athletics Mark Ingram.
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— John James (@john_james_20) August 19, 2015
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