Jalen Milroe opens up on first conversations with Kalen DeBoer

One of the most important partnerships for Alabama football in 2024 is already underway, as new head coach Kalen DeBoer and quarterback Jalen Milroe have gotten to know each other in recent weeks. So far, Milroe has liked what he’s heard.

While they have yet to take the practice field together, Milroe is making an effort to know his new head coach. He explained the fledgling relationship during a brief interview on the Alabama-Auburn men’s basketball broadcast on Wednesday.

“I’m big on relationships and you know, something I try to do is just really get to know my new head coach, and he’s done a really good job with the squad,” Milroe said. “He brings a good energy within the building. I’m just happy to have him here.”

Milroe is perhaps the most dynamic returning quarterback in college football for the 2024 season with his combination of downfield passing and rushing. A pairing with DeBoer and a more spread out, downfield attack could see Milroe raise his play to new levels.

And the relationship between the two at the center of it all is already sprouting.

Milroe explained his desire to be coached hard

Milroe made it clear that he’s staying at Alabama amid the coaching change and explained that he wants to get coached hard while at Alabama.

“No doubt, no doubt,” Jalen Milroe said. “I want to get the best out of me, you know what I’m saying? And I think the biggest thing is to always be a sponge for all information. And then the biggest thing also is that the coaches want the best out of you. You know, their job is to coach us but also get the best out of each player that they can and so, with them being a coach at heart, they see something in you.”

The transition from one coach to the next is often tough on a team. Their styles can be different and that can take a period of adjustment for the players on a team. Nick Saban was known for coaching players hard and that’s clearly what Milroe is still looking for.

It’s a style that Milroe has obviously thrived under. After getting benched for the USF game, Milroe began starting again for Alabama and came out on the other side of the benching better than ever before. He ended the season by winning the SEC and leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff.