Nick Saban's daughter Kristen Saban likes $1.6 million NIL-valued Jalen Milroe's decision to stay at Alabama despite Saban's exit
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has had a busy offseason. It has included a role as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy a few weeks ago where he got to work with former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Most recently, he was at a New York Yankees game where he got to meet All-Star Aaron Judge ahead of fall training.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban's retirement caught many people by surprise, his Crimson Tide players included. Forty players entered the transfer portal after that announcement before coach Kalen DeBoer was announced as the new head coach.
During an interview with ESPN's "First Take" (as per On3), the $1.6 million NIL-valued Milroe revealed why he did not follow the other prospects who entered the transfer portal to leave after Saban retired.
“I didn’t want to make an emotional decision,” Milroe said. “Everything that I do, everything is thought out. And also not leaning on my own understanding. Faith really came into the picture when it came to that situation. Also, family.
“I separate my life into three pillars: faith, family and football. That was something that was impacting my decision. No. 1 faith, two family, not leaning on my own understanding, just trying to get some advice through that process, because it was a hard decision.”
Nick Saban's daughter Kristen Saban, who is a passionate Alabama supporter and a close friend of the quarterback, liked the Instagram post from Alabama Diehards that highlighted Milroe's reasons for not leaving the Crimson Tide.
Jalen Milroe supportive of Nick Saban's retirement
Jalen Milroe did not start the 2023 season as the first-choice quarterback. He was even benched amid widespread criticism in Game 3 against South Florida after the team lost to the Texas Longhorns in Tuscaloosa.
Afterward, coach Nick Saban entrusted the signal-calling keys to Milroe. The QB's improved form coincided with Bama making a run which included winning the SEC championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs and reaching the college football playoffs.
In an interview on CBS Mornings, Milroe stated his support for Saban's retirement despite most prospects deeming it a setback.
"It was crazy initially to see the retirement," Jalen Milroe said. "Coach Saban is the greatest coach of all time, and he recruited me to Alabama. So to have the three years being around someone to now the retirement, it was wild for us as a whole. But when you talk about life after football, you gotta talk about life after coaching.
"What a great opportunity for him to now step into a different role as a head coach to what he's doing now. That's awesome for him. And then also to be around a direction that he's still around sports, which is awesome. That's his passion. That's his drive. I'm supportive of that."
In addition to leading the Crimson Tide under new coach Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe, who graduated with a degree in business management specializing in entrepreneurship, has already started to pursue a master's degree.