Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe point out benefits of helmet communication, reveal who will talk to QB

When Week 1 gets underway, quarterbacks across the country will get to hear their coaches in their helmets for the first time. Helmet communication is here, and Alabama will get its first regular-season taste of the new technology Saturday night against Western Kentucky.

That means Jalen Milroe will be able to hear directly from the sideline while on the field. It won’t be head coach Kalen DeBoer talking to him, though. By NCAA rules, the play-caller can only communicate with the quarterback – which means offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will be in Milroe’s ear.

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Of course, DeBoer will still be able to hear the conversations between the two. That’s part of the reason why he said there are benefits to having the in-game communication.

“We only get one mic. So that will come from your play-callers,” DeBoer said on Hey Coach and The Kalen DeBoer Show Wednesday. “That’s just the way it’s set up, the way the rules are. So your play-callers are talking to the quarterback and, for us, linebacker. That’s how that works. So I can hear what’s being said. The thing that has me frustrated at him is sometimes, you just want to shut it all off. He said, ‘Absolutely.’ It’s unique.

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“I think, though, just listening this fall, I think Coach Sheridan’s done a good job of really trying to hone in on what’s really important. Not too much information. But those situational things, I think just having a quick little reminder before you have to look at the sidelines and what’s down-and-distance or the clock, where it’s at, it’s good. Now, it does shut off at 15 seconds. That’s when you’re on your own. So a lot of the procedures and processes we have in place still have to be there.”

Saturday’s game won’t be the first time Milroe and the Crimson Tide use the helmet communication. They did so during the spring, which allowed them to start working the technology into the game prep.

The connection with Sheridan is huge while working through game action, Milroe said. He’s also been able to give the staff his thoughts on what works and what doesn’t as they get ready for the year.

“I think it’s a key resource for us on offense, especially at the quarterback position to have that communication from OC to quarterback,” Milroe said. “It’s been awesome. I had a first-hand experience this past spring, having an opportunity to engage with Coach Sheridan. Give him thoughts, tips as far as the communication aspect of it.

“From our end, I communicate from what I’ve been told in the headset and give it to the guys. Like I mentioned, spring ball was an introduction to it. Then, having fall camp, it’s been awesome just to have that addition to this season.”