Watson Brown came to UAB from Oklahoma , where he served as offensive coordinator . On November 9 , 1995 , UAB was officially informed by the NCAA that the school had met all requirements for reclassification , and as such the Blazers would enter the 1996 season as an I-A Independent . In their first I-A game , UAB was defeated by in-state rival Auburn 29 – 0 , and would finish their first I-A season with a 5 – 6 overall record . Already a participating member in other sports , on November 13 , 1996 , Conference USA commissioner Michael Slive announced that UAB would be admitted to the league as a football playing member for the 1999 season
Independent
NCAA Division I FBS independent schools
UAB Blazers football