He is one of the core leaders of the University of Alabama football program that chose to remain with the Crimson Tide.
Jalen Milroe finished his first year as a starting quarterback earning permanent team captain, most inspiring player, and team most valuable player honors for the Crimson Tide. He did not have the prettiest season in 2023; however, the native Texan grew exponentially throughout the year. Milroe turned in some impressive performances, leading Alabama to dethroning a defending College Football Playoff National Championship (Georgia) in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
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He got the Tide to the CFP after it missed out on the final four in 2022.
Milroe was one of the reasons why Nick Saban enjoyed coaching last year’s group as much as he did. The 72-year-old is now enjoying his retirement as he should. Saban will still be involved with the program in a different role, but Milroe knew the seven-time national champion had to hang it up at some point. He hilariously stated at a football camp he hosted that the team had to let Saban retire.
“Coach Saban is 28 years from being 100 years old, so we have to let him retire” – Jalen Milroe 📣 pic.twitter.com/kDMhTfwFk3
— SANIL Camps (@sanilcamps) January 30, 2024
“Yes, I do miss Coach Saban,” Milroe said in answering a question from one of the campers.
“I miss him 100 percent. He was a big reason why I came to Alabama, but to see him go is going to be tough for us … But, we have to realize that Coach Saban is 28 years from being 100 years old. So, we got to let him retire in peace.”
Players and fans will miss Saban in the straw hat at practice and getting guys to perform at high level on the field.
Kalen DeBoer has a daunting task of keeping the culture of excellence going. Still, it is fun to see Milroe give back to the Tuscaloosa community and prepare to try and hold on to the starting quarterback spot for next season.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
