UAB football coach Bill Clark and the university are negotiating over a new contract, both sides confirmed, a process Clark hopes will result in a long-term deal.

Clark, 47, said he is under contract through the 2016 season, which he contends is not long enough to demonstrate the level of stability needed at the crest of Blazer football's re-birth when he must recruit 85 players and return to the field perhaps as early as 2017.

"It's going to be a commitment to myself and my family, and my staff that we want to be here, we're going to be here," Clark told AL.com. "But it's our school saying, 'Football is here to stay, this is our coach, this is his staff. We're going to commit to him and the things it takes to do it the right way.' "

Athletic director Mark Ingram termed contract negotiations as "ongoing."

"We're working through it," he said.

Ingram said Clark's presence has allowed UAB to construct a transition plan to move from disbandment to resurrection that will be presented to Conference USA and the NCAA, "soon," according to Clark.

"Having Bill because of all his relationships, for all the reasons UAB hired him, is an advantage," said Ingram, who in May was hired as athletic director, one month before school president Ray Watts announced football's return. "Trying to do this without coach would be really, really hard. Really, really hard."

Clark is lobbying for a facilities makeover that would rival UAB's competitors. His wish list includes a new practice facility and football stadium; the former would likely open after the Blazers complete at least one season of football.

Clark's status could be a concern to some in the Blazers and Birmingham business communities, groups that spearheaded the commitment of approximately $17.2 million in less than seven months, an amount that persuaded Watts to restore football.

In 2014, Clark led the Blazers to a 6-6 record, the program's first bowl-eligible campaign since 2004. Clark earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors.

"He did more with less than pretty much anybody in football last year, and he's the big reason we have an opportunity in front of us that we have," said former UAB player Justin Craft, who has led private fundraising efforts.

"Within reason, I can't see anything that would keep UAB from not wanting to move forward with coach, investing in him, investing in his staff and getting us the facilities that we need to be the kind of program that UAB should be."

Ingram said UAB needs an additional $13 million of public funds to cover costs for a weight room, training room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches offices and practice field turf.

"People cannot feel like we crossed the finish line," Ingram said. "We've really just started. We've got to raise the money we need for these facilities. We have to."

Ingram said UAB is preparing to return to Conference USA as a full member.

Meanwhile, Clark said the contracts of about six of his staff members will expire at the end of June. In recent weeks, the group has developed contingency plans - based on which season football returns - and discussed new ideas, such as a potential partnership with the UAB medical school.

"That's why all this about the contract is so important," Clark said. "We've got to get our family back together."