Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe talks about playing for Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban’s retirement.

In Tuscaloosa, a lot has changed as the Alabama football team gets ready for the 2024 season. This is not unusual given the spread of transfer portals, but what Alabama is going through is quite another. Back in January, Nick Saban announced his resignation as the Crimson Tide’s head coach after seventeen seasons and an incredible six National Championships. Former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, whose quick ascent through the coaching levels has earned him what many regard as the most prestigious position in all of collegiate football, is taking over for the living legend.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe, who began his college career at Alabama in 2021 and intends to continue there until he completes his Master’s degree, is the one constant in Tuscaloosa.

“I initially informed my parents before coming here that I wanted to finish my degree in three years. In a conversation with Chris Hummer of 247Sports, Milroe said, “I was able to achieve that in three years in December and check that off the check list of what I wanted to accomplish.” Before Coach Saban ever announced his retirement, I told my parents that I would be attending Alabama for my master’s degree after completing that degree. Nothing will make me back down from that or change my mind. I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree at Alabama.

After earning a business degree from Alabama back in December, Milroe plans to stay on campus to get a master’s degree in sports management. However, in the world of college football, Jalen Milroe’s departure from Alabama following Nick Saban’s announcement of his retirement would have been accepted. Few people have ever been associated with the University of Alabama football program as much as Nick Saban has, considering that he is the university’s most famous coach.

With Saban’s retirement, Milroe remarked, “that was definitely a hard moment in everyone’s eyes.” He must act in his own best interests, and he did just that. Thus, I wholeheartedly endorse him. As participants, we must now act in our own best interests. Alabama seemed to be the place I was supposed to be. I’m happy I stayed and I’m confident in my choice. There are only two brands, the Cowboys and the Yankees, that I can argue are on par with Alabama in terms of program branding. Here is where Bama’s distinctive foundation lies. There are wonderful individuals here to support and encourage you.

The ceiling for Alabama under Kalen DeBoer

Kalen DeBoer has only coached in a Power Four conference for two years, so he doesn’t exactly bring decades of high-level collegiate coaching experience to Alabama. However, his career record as a head coach is an astounding 104-12, with stops at Washington, Fresno State, and the NAIA Sioux Falls Cougars. His résumé also includes positions as offensive coordinator for Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, and Indiana.

When Kalen DeBoer becomes leadership of the team that has the second-most wins and most National Championships in the history of college football, things will be very different. Think of Jalen Milroe as someone who is eager to take on the challenge.

According to Milroe, who spoke with 247Sports, “spring ball was a great opportunity to get acclimated with the new coaching staff, with Coach DeBoer, and all the new offensive coaches that was in place.” “Coach DeBoer has an excellent plan and is highly intelligent. The system he has in place is undoubtedly the reason why they are so effective on offense, regardless of where he plays quarterback. The quarterback has an abundance of resources at their disposal to enable them to perform at their highest level each and every time the ball is snapped.

There are plenty of championship-caliber clubs in the SEC. Five SEC institutions could potentially compete for a spot in the newly established 12-team College Football Playoff field. Indeed, Alabama is included in that.

Nick Saban’s resignation doesn’t imply the Tide will end their winning streak.