UAB hired former Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer as its head coach, the school announced Wednesday.

"Trent is a proven winner on and off the field at all levels and will be a tremendous leader for our program," director of athletics Mark Ingram said in a statement.

He added, "Trent's goals and vision for our program is to lead UAB to the College Football Playoff, and we have no doubt that he is the right coach to lead our transition in the American Athletic Conference."

Dilfer is the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. He's in his fourth season and holds a 38-8 cumulative record. Lipscomb plays in the state title game Thursday, after which Dilfer will begin his UAB tenure.

"Having the opportunity to lead such a quality program like UAB is one that I am beyond excited about," Dilfer said in a statement.

Outgoing UAB head coach Bryan Vincent went 6-6 in his first season. Vincent was named the interim boss after Brian Clark retired in June.

In a letter obtained by Alex Scarborough of ESPN and addressed to the school president, UAB players threw their support behind Vincent, as they're frustrated with the handling of the current coaching search.

Dilfer, 50, spent 14 seasons in the NFL. He won Super Bowl 35 as the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens.