UAB Blazers football coach Trent Dilfer made headlines on Saturday night during his team’s 35-23 loss to Tulane, but not for the reason he may have hoped. The first-year coach, known for his fiery personality and intense demeanor, went full “hardo mode” in an outburst that was reminiscent of Alabama’s Nick Saban.
Dilfer, who is best known for his successful career as an NFL quarterback and current role as an ESPN analyst, is still trying to find his footing in the world of college coaching. The loss to Tulane marks UAB’s third defeat in their first four games, and it’s clear that Dilfer is feeling the pressure.
In the fourth quarter of the game, UAB was flagged for an illegal substitution, and Dilfer’s reaction was nothing short of explosive. He could be seen screaming and gesturing, looking as though he was ready to start a fight with his own coaching staff. It was a display that was reminiscent of Saban’s infamous outbursts on the Alabama sideline.
Some may argue that Dilfer’s behavior was justified, given the high stakes and intense emotions of a competitive college football game. However, what sets Dilfer apart from Saban is the fact that he has yet to prove himself as a successful coach at this level. While Saban has seven national championship rings and is widely regarded as the greatest coach in college football history, Dilfer is still in the early stages of his coaching career and has yet to achieve such success.
Watch the rage below:
Trent Dilfer absolutely losing it on his coaches 😳 pic.twitter.com/Y8gG084MsT
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 30, 2023
This fact did not go unnoticed by social media users, who quickly labeled Dilfer’s outburst as a “hardo move.” The term “hardo” is often used to describe someone who takes themselves too seriously, especially in a situation that may not warrant such intense behavior.
In this case, it seems that Dilfer’s actions may have been a bit over-the-top. After all, this was just a Conference USA game, not a high-stakes playoff matchup. Perhaps Dilfer could benefit from taking a step back and realizing that the world won’t come to an end if UAB loses a game.
Furthermore, if Dilfer wants to behave in such a manner, he needs to back it up with on-field success. So far, his record as a college football coach does not warrant such intense behavior.
In the end, this outburst may serve as a learning experience for Dilfer. As he continues to grow and develop as a coach, it’s important to remember that actions speak louder than words. And in this case, the actions of a successful coach like Nick Saban may have more weight than those of a first-year coach like Trent Dilfer.
