UAB NEW PROGRAM

[Martianlander]

Since UAB is restarting a "new" football program, how will the scholarships work? Will they only be allowed 25 each year or do they get extra the first year?

[smootness]

I'm pretty sure new programs are allowed the full scholarship allotment. It may be, though, that you can only bring in 25 high-schoolers while having to fill out the rest of the roster with transfers and such.

But there's no way they will be limited to 25 players on scholarship in the first year.

[Irondawg]

Wow, I missed that they get to restart it right after destroying it. What a mess

[Quaoarsking]

So if they're back in 2016, a lot of their 2014 team could just stay on campus and take a redshirt year.

[BulldogBear]

Some discussion on this in another thread. If they try to do it too quickly they may struggle to compete for much longer than if they take it slow. Sucking for a decade may take the enthusiasm out of that support. I would go very slowly and not try to find a CUSA ready team till 2018 at the earliest. It's almost like you gotta just blow it up and start over like you've never had a program.

[Really Clark?]

Some discussion on this in another thread. If they try to do it too quickly they may struggle to compete for much longer than if they take it slow. Sucking for a decade may take the enthusiasm out of that support. I would go very slowly and not try to find a CUSA ready team till 2018 at the earliest. It's almost like you gotta just blow it up and start over like you've never had a program.

Actually, I think their scenario is closer to a one year death penalty. It would have been better if it was a brand new program or a program moving up to D1.

[FlabLoser]

I think they should be able to draft 10+ players from Alabama.

[thf24]

I think they should be able to draft 10+ players from Alabama.

What sweet, sweet justice that would be if only it could happen. That program and fanbase from top to bottom would deserve every bit of it.

[MSUDawg99]

So if they're back in 2016, a lot of their 2014 team could just stay on campus and take a redshirt year.

I'm thinking 2016 is too soon. My guess, fwiw, is 2017 at the earliest. Could be wrong though.

Just saw where another poster said 2018. So yeah that could be possible too.

[BulldogBear]

I'm thinking 2016 is too soon. My guess, fwiw, is 2017 at the earliest. Could be wrong though.

Just saw where another poster said 2018. So yeah that could be possible too.

What I mean is start slow with a 25 frosh class, some transfers and jucos. Play as an FCS indy or even div. 2 if you are gonna start next year, transitioning back to CUSA level by 2018 at the earliest scenario

[BulldogBear]

One their players from last year, Greg Macline, died from injuries from a car accident. Sorry to hear that and said a prayer for his loved ones. I hope maybe UAB will name something after him from among the new stuff they're gonna build.

[MSUDawg99]

Oh that's so sad! Man, that's tough! Will pray for them also.