A second consecutive season of defensive struggles for UAB has cost a pair of coaches on that side of the ball their jobs.
Citing sources familiar with the situation, al.com is reporting that head coach Garrick McGee has fired defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Jimmy Williams and outside linebackers coach Reggie Johnson. The school has yet to confirm any changes to McGee’s staff, although that could come as early as this week.
Both Williams and Johnson recently completed their second seasons with the Blazers.
In McGee’s first two seasons with the program, UAB has managed just five wins -- three in 2012, two in 2013. A sieve-like defense played a significant role in both of the disappointing campaigns.
In 2012, UAB finished 84th in total defense (427.2 yards per game) and 111th in scoring defense (37.5 points per game). That actually served as a beacon of defensive prowess as the Blazers tumbled to 116th (497.8 ypg) and 119th (43.8 ppg) in those categories, respectively in 2013.
(Photo credit: UAB athletics)