Nick Saban describes what led to Jalen Milroe turnaround
While Jalen Milroe’s success seemed overnight to some, Nick Saban knows it wasn’t that simple. During an appearance on ‘Hey Coach & the Nick Saban Show,” the Alabama head coach pulled back the curtain on the Crimson Tide quarterback’s improvement this season.
“I don’t think it was like turning the lights on,” Saban said. “It was more like some of those dimmer switches. You roll it and the lights go up a little more all the time. I think that was more the way I would describe it.
“When he came in, he started to develop confidence. He started developing the ability to not be affected by the last play… He got comfortable enough with the offense where he started making good reads and throwing the ball the right place, at the right time. That helped his confidence.”
Milroe’s success came with time. After Alabama’s Week 1 victory, the nation showered him with praise. Fans questioned how they ever could have doubted Saban’s plan. Just one week later, disaster struck.
In Alabama’s 34-24 loss to Texas, Milroe only completed 14-of-his-27 pass attempts for 255 yards and two touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. In seven days, the nation turned its back on Milroe. Saban seemingly followed suit, benching the redshirt sophomore.
However, as usual, Saban had a plan. The decision to sit Milroe was a test, and the budding star passed with flying colors. Saban reinstated Milroe as the team’s starting quarterback in Week 4, and he has only improved every week since.
Jalen Milroe silences the doubters
In Alabama’s 27-24 win over Auburn in Week 13, Milroe’s improvement reached a pinnacle. Alabama was fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line. With the game on the line, Milroe threw a dart to the corner of the end zone. Bullseye.
Alabama WR Isaiah Bond came down with the pigskin, boosting Alabama to its fourth-consecutive victory in the Iron Bowl. Saban is proud of Milroe’s exponential growth.
“He became a point guard,” Saban said. “He wasn’t the guy that dribbled the ball across half court and wanted to shoot it while four other guys were standing around doing nothing. He started to understand, ‘This is what I have to do to be a good player at this position.’
“Distribute the ball, get 13 assists and make the plays. When I get a shot, I’ll take it and go from there. That happened gradually.”
Milroe will have a chance to show off his improvement to the nation this weekend. On Saturday, Alabama will face off against No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.