UAB Extends Contract With Bill Clark After Historic Season

BIRMINGHAM, AL - University of Alabama at Birmingham Director of Athletics Mark Ingram has announced that an agreement in principle has been reached with Blazer Head Football Coach Bill Clark to make Clark the highest-paid coach in Conference USA, pending approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

"We are excited to announce this news that I know will be enthusiastically welcomed by the UAB family," Ingram said. "UAB football is enjoying unprecedented success under Coach Clark, including our first-ever appearance in the Conference USA Championship this Saturday."

The Blazers defeated Middle Tennessee State Saturday to win the Conference USA championship, a feat many thought impossible after the program was terminated for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Related Story: Four Years After Losing Its Team, UAB Playing For Championship

Clark turned heads last year in their first season back from its unfortunate termination, as the team went 8-5 and earned a bid to the Bahamas Bowl - only the team's second ever bowl game appearance. Clark was a finalist for the AP Coach of the Year and several other national coach awards, and won the CBS Coach of the Year award and the Conference USA Coach of the Year.

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The new agreement is a five-year term that extends through the 2023-2024 football season. Clark's compensation will begin at $1.45 million and reach $1.65 million over the life of the term. Funding for the salary will be supported by UAB, as well as a significant portion from the UAB Athletics Foundation.

"I am proud to be a Blazer and want to thank President Watts, Mark Ingram, the Board of Trustees and the UAB Athletics Foundation for their ongoing support of my coaching staff and me as we continue to make history for this great university," Clark said. "UAB Football has a bright future, and Jennifer and I are excited about what this contract extension means for us to continue to be part of this special community of players and coaches, fans and supporters, students, faculty and staff for years to come."

"This has been a thrilling year for UAB football," said Hatton Smith, chair of the UAB Athletics Foundation, "and it has been a great experience for the Athletics Foundation to collaborate with UAB, UA System and Board leadership as we worked together in support of an agreement on terms with Coach Clark. This commitment is a significant investment building on our tremendous momentum."

As with all multiple-year coaching agreements, it is subject to final approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images