Alabama QB Jalen Milroe says the Crimson Tide team is "starving for greatness" following Nick Saban's departure
After spending 17 glorious years with Alabama, seven-time national champ Nick Saban decided to give up his head coach throne and announced his retirement on January 11, 2024. Fans were left worrying about Crimson Tide's future. However, their concerns were put to rest following Kalen DeBoer's appointment as Alabama's next head coach.
After a rocky start to his tenure, when many players like Amari Niblack and Isaiah Bond jumped ships and entered the transfer portal, DeBoer was quick to move the momentum in Alabama's favor.
In a conversation with On3, Crimson Tide's QB1 Jalen Milroe gave fans an insight into the team's mindset going into the 2024 college football season following Nick Saban's departure:
"To be real, quite honest with you, the guys that we need here are here, if you didn’t have the same mindset, didn’t have the same mission, you didn’t need to be here. The guys that are here, everybody’s hungry, starving for greatness and willing to do what’s best for the football team. There’s no individual within this group.
"We all have shared goals, share common traits when it comes to winning and just being a championship player on and off the field. I’m definitely passionate about what we have as a group.”
Jalen Milroe discusses differences between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer at Alabama
Nick Saban is widely known for his passionate coaching style and heated moments particularly on the field and during practice sessions. One example of Saban's anger outburst is when he spanked an Alabama redshirt freshman during a showdown against Mississippi State for throwing an ill-advised pass.
When asked about the incident during the post-game press conference, coach Saban simply stated that football is for 'tough' people and did not think there was anything wrong.
In a conversation with Bussin with the Boys, Jalen Milroe talked about one difference between Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban:
"I will say that it's different. It's much different. You know, when coach Saban came in a room and you're talking. ... be quiet. You see coach, shush.
"Imma be real, coach DeBoer came in, everybody kept talking I'm like, 'What ya'll doing?' Everybody kept talking I ain't gonna lie. They just laughing and keeping on the conversation," Jalen Milroe said. (16:26)
Fans will be interested to see how Alabama adjusts to their new head coach Kalen DeBoer in their first season since Nick Saban's departure in the upcoming 2024 college football season.