Wow, if the story below comes to fruition it will require some rebalancing in the conference. Of course we were in a similar position twenty years ago.
With UAB's football future hanging in the balance, a person close to the decision-making process told USA TODAY Sports that athletics director Brian Mackin has given indications the program will shut down this week and that Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were supposed to be private.
Mackin did not return multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.
The decision comes as UAB reached bowl eligibility Saturday for the first time since 2004 and second time in school history. Since its inception as a Division III program in 1991, it has suffered from lack of success and inadequate funding under the watch of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
In 2006, for instance, the school tried to hire current Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher (then an LSU assistant) until the contract was nixed at the last minute.
Signs of hope finally arrived this season when the school hired Bill Clark, who engineered one of the nation's most impressive turnarounds with a 6-6 record. Clark's contract runs through Jan. 31, 2017.
Recently, former players went public with a letter concerned about the program's future while the school undergoes an internal review.
Barring a last-minute reversal in the decision-making process, it's unclear what shutting down football would mean for UAB's athletic future. Another person with direct knowledge of Conference USA matters told USA TODAY Sports that the league's commissioner, Britton Banowsky, did not have enough support among school presidents to keep UAB in the league without football.
There is no known backup plan for UAB's other sports.
With UAB's football future hanging in the balance, a person close to the decision-making process told USA TODAY Sports that athletics director Brian Mackin has given indications the program will shut down this week and that Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were supposed to be private.
Mackin did not return multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.
The decision comes as UAB reached bowl eligibility Saturday for the first time since 2004 and second time in school history. Since its inception as a Division III program in 1991, it has suffered from lack of success and inadequate funding under the watch of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
In 2006, for instance, the school tried to hire current Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher (then an LSU assistant) until the contract was nixed at the last minute.
Signs of hope finally arrived this season when the school hired Bill Clark, who engineered one of the nation's most impressive turnarounds with a 6-6 record. Clark's contract runs through Jan. 31, 2017.
Recently, former players went public with a letter concerned about the program's future while the school undergoes an internal review.
Barring a last-minute reversal in the decision-making process, it's unclear what shutting down football would mean for UAB's athletic future. Another person with direct knowledge of Conference USA matters told USA TODAY Sports that the league's commissioner, Britton Banowsky, did not have enough support among school presidents to keep UAB in the league without football.
There is no known backup plan for UAB's other sports.
