The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Phone:
- 975-9536
Alex Mortensen was named the eighth head football coach in UAB history on Dec. 5, 2025, after spending three seasons as the Blazers' offensive coordinator and interim head coach.
Mortensen joined the Blazers as offensive coordinator on Dec. 5, 2022, and quickly established one of the most productive offenses in program history. Following three seasons leading the offense, Director of Athletics Mark Ingram named Mortensen interim head coach on Oct. 12, 2025. In his first game leading the program, Mortensen guided the Blazers to a nationally televised upset victory over No. 22 Memphis before being elevated to head coach at the conclusion of the season.
During his three seasons as offensive coordinator, UAB averaged 415.6 yards of total offense per game and established multiple school records while producing some of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history.
Mortensen made an immediate impact in 2023, helping the Blazers establish a school-record 450.0 yards of offense per game. For his efforts, he was named a nominee for the Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
Under Mortensen's direction, quarterback Jacob Zeno authored one of the greatest seasons in school history. Zeno set school records for completions (279) and completion percentage (73.6), while throwing for 3,126 yards. He finished the season ranked second nationally in completion percentage, seventh in completions per game (25.4), 11th in total offense (299.5) and 14th in passing yards per game (284.2).
Mortensen also helped running back Jermaine Brown Jr. lead the American Athletic Conference in all-purpose yards per game and finish his career as UAB's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,026. Wide receiver Amare Thomas established the school freshman record with 53 receptions, while Tejhaun Palmer earned all-conference honors after recording 858 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
In 2024, Mortensen's offense continued to produce despite injuries at quarterback. Jalen Kitna threw for more than 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns in just eight games, while Kam Shanks tied the school freshman record with 62 receptions and Lee Beebe Jr. rushed for 884 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 2025 season saw Mortensen transition from offensive coordinator to interim head coach while continuing to oversee one of the American Conference's most productive offenses. UAB averaged more than 400 yards of total offense per game and finished the season with 4,851 total yards. Wide receiver Iverson Hooks earned Second Team All-Conference honors after recording 72 receptions for 927 yards and seven touchdowns, while Brandon Hawkins Jr. added 41 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns.
Prior to arriving at UAB, Mortensen spent nine seasons at Alabama as a graduate assistant (2014-16) and offensive analyst (2017-22). During his time in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide compiled a 115-12 record, won three national championships and consistently fielded one of the nation's elite offenses.
Mortensen worked extensively with Alabama quarterbacks Blake Sims, Jacob Coker, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Multiple quarterbacks he helped develop went on to become NFL starters, while Alabama annually ranked among the nation's leaders in scoring offense, passing offense, total offense and third-down conversion percentage.
The 2020 Alabama team produced one of the most dominant offensive seasons in college football history, finishing 13-0 while ranking among the national leaders in virtually every major offensive category en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Before joining Alabama, Mortensen began his coaching career in 2012 at New Mexico Highlands as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. In his lone season, quarterback Emmanuel Lewis ranked second nationally in Division II in both total offense and passing yards per game. Mortensen then spent the 2013 season with the St. Louis Rams before joining the Crimson Tide in 2014. He also served as wide receivers coach for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Mortensen began his collegiate playing career at Arkansas in 2004 and spent two seasons with the Razorbacks before transferring to Samford. After two seasons with the Bulldogs, he returned to Arkansas for his final year of eligibility in 2008 and earned his degree in communications in 2009. Following his collegiate career, Mortensen signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent and appeared in one preseason game. He later earned a master's degree in sport management from Alabama in 2016.
Mortensen brings experience from every level of football, including the NFL, SEC, American Conference and professional spring football.
He is the son of the late Chris Mortensen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame journalist and longtime ESPN NFL insider whose impact on football journalism spanned more than four decades, and his mother Micki.
