Of course, when you are a quarterback for Alabama, there are big expectations for you to meet. Jalen Milroe can attest to this better than any. Given a glimpse of the two extremes in the spectrum of coaching styles, Milroe has been lucky to have been under Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer. Both coaches are very successful in their own right. Despite the grueling no-nonsense personality that Saban uses as his modus operandi in the recruitment of players, DeBoer seems to invoke a more collective approach towards the game geared towards considering the feelings of the players in particular.

Jalen Milroe had a chance to talk about Kalen and Nick in an interview on The Pivot podcast. He expresses gratitude to both coaches and the role that they have played in his life. As per Milroe, “Coach Saban set the standard.” He possesses direction of the events on the field and, most importantly, the potential winner’s understanding, which is witnessed by his many achievements. But now, with DeBoer, for example, Milroe has switched to receive a different kind of coaching. Another is that is as challenging but in a way that may be more comfortable to the players. It is a change for the better, according to Milroe, and it has made him even more determined to do well.

The change of allegiance from Saban to DeBoer has not been smooth sailing, but it has been a hell of a journey. Jalen Milroe speaks with regard to the effectiveness of the first team meeting held by DeBoer. This was not how Saban would typically do things, but DeBoer wanted the players’ input from the beginning. He called in the “Leadership Council” and captains and asked them about the team’s standards and what they wished to find. This kind of collaboration was new, and in the admission, Milroe notes that it altered his perspective.

What probably makes Kalen DeBoer stand out is that he truly cares for his players and wants to hear what they think. For the first time, DeBoer immediately realized that he had not come to tell people what to do. In the first meeting, Milroe remembers DeBoer opened a notebook and asked the captains what the standard should be. “He wanted to know what we thought mattered,” Milroe said. With this move, Milroe started seeing that DeBoer was serious about the formation of a culture in the team, not just the games!

Kalen DeBoer’s player-first approach

To a team like Alabama, where winning is paramount, it is enormously valuable to have a coach who values the players’ input. It is simply important to have some input on how things are managed, and this makes Milroe feel more committed to DeBoer’s operations. “He’s got our back, so we’ve got his,” Milroe explains.

It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s effective. DeBoer has shown he is willing to listen, and this has made the players and the coaching staff team up in a way that Milroe has never experienced. Quarterbacks, in particular, have faired well for the Alabama team this year. Jalen Milroe has a pass completion of 66.7%, throwing for 399 yards and five touchdowns and a 205.6 passer rating across two games.

Ty Simpson has also contributed – completing 55.6% of his passes for 66 yards in limited action. A very well-coordinated offence and no interceptions suggest Milroe is another aggressive player that will help Alabama shine through, all thanks to Kalen, for creating a friendly environment.