This a sad day for Roddy White and a host of other guys in the NFL.
According to USA Today, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is shutting down it’s football program after becoming bowl eligible on Saturday.
With UAB’s football future hanging in the balance, a person close to the decision-making process told USA TODAY Sports that athletics director Brian Mackin has given indications the program will shut down this week and that Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were supposed to be private.
Mackin did not return multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.
The decision comes as UAB reached bowl eligibility Saturday for the first time since 2004 and second time in school history. Since its inception as a Division III program in 1991, it has suffered from lack of success and inadequate funding under the watch of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
In 2006, for instance, the school tried to hire current Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher (then an LSU assistant) until the contract was nixed at the last minute.
Reports say the state is focused on boosting the Crimson Tide and football in Birmingham takes away from Tuscaloosa.
Behold, the power of Saban. RT @schadjoe UAB coach Bill Clark said Sunday he believes the school’s football program is about to shut down.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) November 30, 2014
The truth is that the Tuscaloosa “Machine,” and others around the state simply do not want #UAB or Birmingham to be successful.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) November 30, 2014