After nearly two months of searching for its next head coach, UAB is turning to the option it had all along. The Blazers plan to promote interim coach Alex Mortensen to a full-time role. A source close to AL.com ’s Kevin Scarbinsky confirmed the reports of Mortensen’s hire.

Mortensen, 40, spent the past three seasons as UAB’s offensive coordinator. Following Trent Dilfer’s firing on Oct. 12 , Mortensen led the Blazers to a 2-4 record. That included a win over then-No. 22 Memphis as well as a shorthanded victory at Tulsa this past weekend that snapped the team’s 17-game road losing streak.

This season, Mortenson led an offense that ranked 54th in total yards (404.3 per game), including a passing attack that ranked 30th, averaging 265.6 yards through the air. UAB was tied for 78th

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