Following a productive and inspired spring practice, UAB head coach Trent Dilfer has promoted Blazer alum Matt McCants to a permanent on-field role as UAB’s offensive line coach.

McCants served in an interim capacity during the spring after former coach Eddie Gordon was hired as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers.

“I am so honored to announce one of the all-time great Blazers, Matt McCants, as our new offensive line coach.” Dilfer said, “As the leader of this program it is my responsibility to surround our student athletes with great men, great coaches and great recruiters — Matt is all three.  If our players develop into the type of men and football players that Coach McCants did while at UAB and in the NFL, then we are all winning on and off the field.”

McCants was a standout offensive lineman during his lone season at Mobile’s Williamson High School and was a two-time All-CUSA First Team selection at UAB while starting 42 career games for the Blazers. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and started three games in 30 total appearances.

McCants played his final two seasons of professional football for the AAF’s Birmingham Iron (2019) and the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks (2020) before joining the UAB staff as a volunteer assistant for the 2021 season. He served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2022 and as the director of player development in Dilfer’s first season at the helm.

The Blazers open the 2024 season against Alcorn State, Thursday, Aug. 29, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.