Jalen Milroe recalls favorite Nick Saban memory at Alabama
No matter what the remainder of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe‘s career entails, he’ll always go down as the last Crimson Tide signal caller under legendary head coach Nick Saban. Who retired following last season after putting together one of the most decorated college head coaching careers that the game has seen.
Milroe recently joined the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast ahead of his first season without Saban at the helm and was asked what his favorite memory is with the GOAT, delivering a hilarious story from practice during his time as a backup quarterback.
“I’m gonna be honest, my favorite memory I remember at practice man. I drop back in the pocket, they’re in cover seven. Nothing’s open, I’m talking about it’s double-covered, they’ve got the perfect call for our pass concept down the field. Nothing’s open,” Milroe said setting the scene.
Milroe established himself as one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks last season after rushing for 531 and 12 touchdowns. A skill set he also put on display during this given practice in Tuscaloosa.
“Got a nice pass rush from the defensive end, I reverse out, make a good move on him, he falls down. I’m talking about I dropped him dog, it was a good move. Being honest with you,” Milroe said getting a laugh out of hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. “Spin out of it dog, took off. I’m talking about if I (was) clocked I ran a 4.2 (second 40-yard dash) that play.”
“I took off. I’m gonna be real, I was swinging the ball. Like bad ball security, and you can’t hit the quarterback at practice, but I kept on running. Ran straight, finished on the opposite goal line,” Milroe said. “Everybody’s hyped up because it’s like the end of practice, at this time I’m the backup … So everybody’s celebrating on our sideline, I’m talking everybody’s jumping up with me, coaches man.”
Milroe’s magical play at Alabama’s practice was met with excitement by everyone, everyone except for the Crimson Tide’s commander and chief Nick Saban. Who has never shied away from a teaching moment with his trademark ferocity.
“I get back I see this short man red as can be. Coach Saban where’s a hat at practice, I didn’t even see his hat dog, I see his hair,” Milroe said. “Man he ran down there, cussed me clean out. Said, ‘The ball security 4, the ball security.’ I said, ‘Coach I just scored.’ He said — I ain’t gonna say what he said.”
Milroe’s response to Saban was simple, telling him Roll Tide before walking off the field. But the lesson he learned in the moment has stuck with him, the importance of taking care of the football to in turn take care of the team over making bit and exciting plays.
“It was a good play, it was the last play, we scored. It was an explosive play and he was hot, he didn’t care about none of that. He didn’t care about what move I made, great decision I made. Ball security. Ball security was key,” Milroe said.
College football lost a larger-than-life presence in Saban’s retirement, even though it is still being felt in the birth of his new media career. But the lessons he’s taught his players and others will surely stay with them for a long time. Along with the passion and trademark intensity many of them were likely expressed with.