Nick Sheridan calls Jalen Milroe 'rock solid' amid coaching change

If Alabama is going to make a return to the College Football Playoffs in the first year under coach Kalen DeBoer‘s leadership, it’ll need quarterback Jalen Milroe to be at his absolute best.

Milroe had a winding journey as Alabama’s quarterback a year ago, losing the starting job just two games into the season, only to reclaim it and lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC title.

The good news? Jalen Milroe has fit in perfectly with the new coaching staff, meaning he should be able to pick up where he left off confidence-wise.

“Yeah it’s been great. I hope he feels how much we appreciate him,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said on the Next Up with Adam Breneman podcast. “I think everybody recognizes in college athletics just when there’s transition of the things that the players go through, in those transitions, and he’s been rock solid since the very beginning. He’s let us coach him.”

There will be a lot to adjust to with the new offensive system.

DeBoer has had successful offenses everywhere he has gone, but they can be complex. It takes a good deal of understanding to know which pieces are moving where and how to play them to expose the defense.

That’s where Jalen Milroe being on the same page helps.

“I think the communication and the trust that’s been built, not just with myself, but other members of the staff, coach DeBoer certainly, has been strong,” Sheridan said. “The conversations, the honesty, the transparency has been really in a short amount of time pretty remarkable, and I give him the most credit because he’s kind of opened his heart to us and let us coach him. Has told us his journey, his story. I just appreciate that about him.”

The added chemistry as a result will hopefully pay dividends.

There’s little doubt about the overall talent Jalen Milroe has. Look no further than last year’s touchdown strike to Isaiah Bond on fourth-and-31 in crunch time during the Auburn game for evidence.

He wants more, though.

“He wants to be great. He’s already had some unbelievable moments in his career and I know he’s super excited about what’s to come, and he’s willing to put the work in and he does that,” Sheridan said. “He’s as hard of a working player that I’ve been around. So he’s been a total joy to coach. As has the other guys on offense and the whole team, really. But certainly he’s kind of led the way just as far as his commitment, his belief, his trust. That’s not easy to do and he’s been great that way for sure.”