Nick Saban tells Kalen DeBoer he will 'never' criticize him, fires jab at Greg McElroy

SEC Now sported an all-Alabama desk following Kalen DeBoer‘s appearance at the podium in Dallas. The head coach was joined by Greg McElroy, Roman Harper, and Nick Saban, setting up a fun dynamic to discuss the upcoming season. One thing had to occur before the discussion got underway — Saban needed to fire off a joke.

Media member Nick Saban has gone out of his way to be insightful of every team in the SEC. But there is still not a program he knows better than Alabama, being just six months removed from running the operation. His overall goal is to not be critical of the program and instead provide insight.

The guy sitting two chairs to his right is a different story, though. Saban jokingly warned DeBeor about the criticism he may be receiving from the former Alabama quarterback once the season got underway.

“Let me share something else with you, aight? I’m never gonna criticize you. Roman, defensive back, never gonna criticize you. McElroy, on the other hand, he thinks he should be calling the plays,” Saban said Wednesday at SEC Media Days.

“Not enough throws, in my opinion,” McElroy responded. “Need some more throws.”

In Year Two of Jalen Milroe as the starter, you might expect a lot of throws called from Milroe. After all, DeBoer had an immense amount of success with Michael Penix Jr. and an incredible trio of wide receivers last season at Washington. Good enough to win 14 games and appear in the College Football Playoff national championship.

DeBoer is high on where the Alabama running backs stand. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes are not the most proven commodities in the SEC but have a ton of potential. Even second-year player Richard Young has a chance to make an impact.

“I’m really excited about Jam Miller and Justice Haynes,” DeBoer said on the SEC Now set. “Rich Young had a nice spring. The last four or five practices, I think he really came around… This is their time now.”

McElroy will get his wish of a good chunk of throws. DeBoer seemingly has a ton of confidence in the wide receiver room, discussing Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, and Kendrick Law while in Dallas. Blocking for the quarterback could be a big determinant of how often Alabama drops back.

No matter the offensive strategy from DeBoer, Saban claims he will not be too critical of decisions.