don't agree at all
only way they would "never" play is if nothing changes on the board of trustees but Little Bear is no longer there as his reign ended in Feb 2015. If, and this is a big if, the UA Board of Trustees becomes more representative of the UA school system the UAB folks would then have equal or even larger representation than UA-Tuscaloosa and that would change the field quite a bit. While it might not assure that there is an annual Tide/Blazers game it would allow UAB to actually be in control of its own athletic department, budget, and facilities where right now that is being decided by UA-Tuscaloosa folks.
Hell i would go as far as to say that one of the reasons Little Bear blocked Jimbo Fisher was he knew that Saban would have done a favor for his buddy and added them to the schedule for a few paydays. Bama did this with ex coach Curry when he started up Ga State and just recently with Coach Mac when he left for Colorado State. and if Dooley ever gets another job he'll probably do it for him as well
(btw wtf happened to that guy after his UT stop?)UAB coach Bill Clark looks to extend contract (past 2016)
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/06/bill_clark_wants_more_money_lo.html
UAB football coach Bill Clark and the university are negotiating over a new contract, both sides confirmed, a process Clark hopes will result in a long-term deal.
Clark, 47, said he is under contract through the 2016 season, which he contends is not long enough to demonstrate the level of stability needed at the crest of Blazer football's re-birth when he must recruit 85 players and return to the field perhaps as early as 2017.
"It's going to be a commitment to myself and my family, and my staff that we want to be here, we're going to be here," Clark told AL.com. "But it's our school saying, 'Football is here to stay, this is our coach, this is his staff. We're going to commit to him and the things it takes to do it the right way.' "
Athletic director Mark Ingram termed contract negotiations as "ongoing."
"We're working through it," he said.
Ingram said Clark's presence has allowed UAB to construct a transition plan to move from disbandment to resurrection that will be presented to Conference USA and the NCAA, "soon," according to Clark.
"Having Bill because of all his relationships, for all the reasons UAB hired him, is an advantage," said Ingram, who in May was hired as athletic director, one month before school president Ray Watts announced football's return. "Trying to do this without coach would be really, really hard. Really, really hard."
Clark is lobbying for a facilities makeover that would rival UAB's competitors. His wish list includes a new practice facility and football stadium; the former would likely open after the Blazers complete at least one season of football.
Clark's status could be a concern to some in the Blazers and Birmingham business communities, groups that spearheaded the commitment of approximately $17.2 million in less than seven months, an amount that persuaded Watts to restore football.
Ingram said UAB needs an additional $13 million of public funds to cover costs for a weight room, training room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches offices and practice field turf.
"People cannot feel like we crossed the finish line," Ingram said. "We've really just started. We've got to raise the money we need for these facilities. We have to."
Ingram said UAB is preparing to return to Conference USA as a full member.
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/06/bill_clark_wants_more_money_lo.html
UAB football coach Bill Clark and the university are negotiating over a new contract, both sides confirmed, a process Clark hopes will result in a long-term deal.
Clark, 47, said he is under contract through the 2016 season, which he contends is not long enough to demonstrate the level of stability needed at the crest of Blazer football's re-birth when he must recruit 85 players and return to the field perhaps as early as 2017.
"It's going to be a commitment to myself and my family, and my staff that we want to be here, we're going to be here," Clark told AL.com. "But it's our school saying, 'Football is here to stay, this is our coach, this is his staff. We're going to commit to him and the things it takes to do it the right way.' "
Athletic director Mark Ingram termed contract negotiations as "ongoing."
"We're working through it," he said.
Ingram said Clark's presence has allowed UAB to construct a transition plan to move from disbandment to resurrection that will be presented to Conference USA and the NCAA, "soon," according to Clark.
"Having Bill because of all his relationships, for all the reasons UAB hired him, is an advantage," said Ingram, who in May was hired as athletic director, one month before school president Ray Watts announced football's return. "Trying to do this without coach would be really, really hard. Really, really hard."
Clark is lobbying for a facilities makeover that would rival UAB's competitors. His wish list includes a new practice facility and football stadium; the former would likely open after the Blazers complete at least one season of football.
Clark's status could be a concern to some in the Blazers and Birmingham business communities, groups that spearheaded the commitment of approximately $17.2 million in less than seven months, an amount that persuaded Watts to restore football.
Ingram said UAB needs an additional $13 million of public funds to cover costs for a weight room, training room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches offices and practice field turf.
"People cannot feel like we crossed the finish line," Ingram said. "We've really just started. We've got to raise the money we need for these facilities. We have to."
Ingram said UAB is preparing to return to Conference USA as a full member.
