- Program
- UAB
- Level
- FBS
- In Role Since
- 2025
- Conference
- American
- Education
- B.A. in Communications, Arkansas (2009); M.S. in Sport Management, Alabama (2016)
Profile
Alex Mortensen was named the eighth head football coach at UAB on Dec. 5, 2025 after serving three seasons as the Blazers' offensive coordinator and interim head coach. He joined UAB as offensive coordinator on Dec. 5, 2022 and guided the Blazers to a nationally televised upset over No. 22 Memphis in his first game as interim head coach. Mortensen's 2023 offense set a UAB single-season mark at 450.0 yards per game and earned him a Broyles Award nomination. He spent nine seasons on staff at Alabama (2014-22) while the Crimson Tide compiled a 115-12 record and won three national championships.
Coaching Approach
Offensive coordinator pedigree centered on high-yardage, pass-efficient attacks: 2023 UAB offense set a school record at 450.0 yards per game and quarterback Jacob Zeno set school records for completions (279) and completion percentage (73.6), producing top-15 national rankings in passing and total offense.
Career Highlights
- Named UAB head football coach on Dec. 5, 2025
- Hired as UAB offensive coordinator on Dec. 5, 2022
- Guided UAB to upset of No. 22 Memphis in his first game as interim head coach (Oct. 12, 2025 interim appointment cited earlier in season action noted in bio text). (Source: UAB bio text.) (Date of interim appointment Oct. 12, 2025.) (Result: upset vs. No. 22 Memphis.) (Elevated to head coach at conclusion of the season.) (All from source.) || NOTE: The source states Mortensen was named interim head coach on Oct. 12, 2025 and in his first game led the Blazers to an upset victory over No. 22 Memphis before being elevated to head coach at the conclusion of the season.)
Sources
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