Alex Mortensen brings Saban habits to UAB without the impersonation
UAB’s new head coach says he is borrowing from Nick Saban’s system while trying to build a version that fits Birmingham.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Alex Mortensen spent nine seasons around Nick Saban at Alabama, collecting three national championship rings and a heavy dose of the coach’s famous “Process.” Now he is trying to turn those habits into wins at UAB without doing a Saban impression.
Mortensen, UAB’s first-time permanent head coach, told CBS Sports that he believes most of what he saw at Alabama can carry over to Birmingham. His estimate: 80 to 90 percent of the model can be used, with changes where UAB’s situation demands them.
“You would be foolish not to take the things you learned from him and apply it to your next job,” Mortensen told CBS Sports. “I'm not going to try to be him. I'm not going to try to act like him in ways that are phony.”
A Saban-heavy staff in Birmingham
Mortensen has filled key spots with coaches who know Saban’s system. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham worked for Saban at Michigan State and later at Alabama, according to CBS Sports. Passing game coordinator and receivers coach Kevin Garver and run game coordinator and offensive line coach Gordon Steele also worked as offensive analysts under Saban.
Mortensen said the pieces he wants to keep include organization, leadership, practice structure and attention to detail. The trick is scaling the Alabama machine to a very different job.
The gap is clear on paper. Alabama, an SEC heavyweight, reported $82.9 million in operating expenses for the 2024-25 fiscal year in its NCAA financial report, according to CBS Sports. UAB, which plays in the American, proposed an $11.6 million football operating budget for 2025-26.
Other Saban-connected coaches have shown the formula can travel beyond the biggest-budget programs. CBS Sports noted that Billy Napier went 40-12 across four seasons at Louisiana after working as Alabama’s receivers coach. Curt Cignetti also built winning programs at IUP, Elon and James Madison before his current job at Indiana.
A fast rise after Dilfer’s exit
Mortensen’s promotion came after Trent Dilfer was fired in October following a 2-4 start. Dilfer, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, did not post a winning record across two and a half seasons at UAB, according to CBS Sports.
Mortensen told CBS Sports that Dilfer’s dismissal caught him off guard. At the time, Mortensen was already UAB’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and the interim title added another job to his plate.
His path to the full-time role was not guaranteed. CBS Sports reported that several names connected to UAB’s coaching search, including Ryan Beard, Steve Englehart, Drew Cronic and Skip Holtz, had head-coaching experience. Mortensen did not.
He stayed in the race anyway. CBS Sports reported that Mortensen wanted to remain in Birmingham and eventually won support from people involved in the decision. He received the permanent job in early December.
Mortensen also brought a long football background into the job. He played quarterback at Arkansas and is the son of late sports journalist Chris Mortensen. At Alabama, he worked around offensive minds including Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, Mike Locksley and Bill O’Brien, according to CBS Sports.
UAB is chasing its first winning season since 2022. Mortensen told CBS Sports the short-term work for 2026 and the longer-term rebuild could either discourage him or push him. His answer was blunt: he said he is motivated and believes the staff can handle the challenge.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.