Jalen Milroe reveals difference between Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer during practice

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had the perfect story to tell that illustrated the difference between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer took over for Saban following the latter’s retirement after 17 years in Tuscaloosa and has a massive legacy to follow.

In doing so, he brings a different approach to the game. Saban was often know for his attention to detail and rigid style of coaching that followed a specific set of rules. DeBoer, who comes to the team after leading Washington to a national championship appearance, is a bit more loose.

Milroe explained how in a recent podcast with Connor O’Gara of Saturday Down South.

“It was funny because at practice, you know, I threw a really good ball,” he said. “I threw a really good deep ball down the field and a really good pass and everyone was celebrating. I was looking at the sideline to get the next play and the next signal. I get done with my rep and coach DeBoer comes to me like, ‘hey, what happened?’ I look down and he’s like, ‘I thought you was celebrating running down the field.’

“I was like, ‘coach, I was just worried about the next play.’ He’s like, ‘well I want you to celebrate. I want you to be excited. That was a really good pass.’ I was like, ‘all right, this is different,’ He gave me a pat on the back and said, ‘that was a good play, be excited.’ I was like, ‘wow, this is different.’ That just changed my perspective. I was like, ‘all right, bet.'”

When Jalen Milroe realized things were different without Nick Saban pic.twitter.com/kREq1RhVgv

— Saturday Down South (@SatDownSouth) June 29, 2024

Milroe helped lead the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff this past season under Saban. He threw for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns.

DeBoer, on the other hand, coached perhaps the most prolific passing offense in the country, Led by Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies ranked second in the country with 343.7 yards passing per game as DeBoer won Coach of the Year.

Now as Kalen DeBoer is set to take over for a coach who won six national championships at Alabama prior to him, he also faces the task of taking Jalen Milroe to the next level. That might take a little bit of a different approach to coaching, but it seem the quarterback has found the change in style a bit refreshing.