UAB's Bill Clark retires for health reasons

Calling it “the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Bill Clark announced his retirement as the UAB head football coach Friday morning, citing the need for a spinal fusion because of “long-standing back issues that have grown more and more debilitating in the last year.”

“Retiring as the UAB head football coach is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Clark wrote in a statement, “but my future health and well-being depend on it.”

Clark, who turns 54 years old Tuesday, shared his decision with the UAB players and assistant coaches in their regularly scheduled Friday morning meetings. He confirmed his decision to Kevin Scarbinsky of The Lede.

Read Kevin's full breaking news story on al.com.

Read Kevin's insight on sports every Sunday in The Lede.

Bill Clark retires with three C-USA division titles, two overall C-USA titles and two bowl wins. (KS photo)