The Alabama Crimson Tide football team underwent a massive change this offseason, with head coach Nick Saban retiring and Kalen DeBoer taking over — and quarterback Jalen Milroe is already a fan of the new staff.
The program had three practices before spring break, which began on March 8 and will conclude on March 17.
"It's different," Milroe said Friday. "There's more periods that go on, whether it's competitive reps, individual periods, special teams. We have a lot of thing that's going on. We're always on the move. We're trying to be as in-shape as much as possible and just lock-in. It's a little different, but we're all adjusting. I'm excited because we're going to be successful."
At practice, Milroe works closely with DeBoer, who had been an offensive coordinator at multiple stops including Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Indiana.
"Now that I have Coach DeBoer here, I've been trying to have the best relationship with him but also learn," Milroe said. "He has a great system on offense. I try to be a sponge for all information. He's been really helpful along the way. He works with the quarterbacks. I'm liking it a lot. I have Coach DeBoer to lean on. It's great to have an offensive-minded coach and to be around him. It's been great to see Coach DeBoer around the quarterbacks. I'm just excited for what's ahead."
DeBoer hired Nick Sheridan, the former offensive coordinator at Indiana, to the same role on his offensive staff. He replaced Ryan Grubb, who left for the Seattle Seahawks.
"Coach Sheridan is pushing me," Milroe said. "The quarterback and OC have to have a good relationship. I like him a lot. He is really personable. All he wants to do is get the best out of me every single day we have a meeting or are on the field. I love our relationship. We're constantly growing."
Before coming to Alabama, DeBoer was the head coach for the Washington Huskies, who lost the national championship game Jan. 8 against the Michigan Wolverines.
"It's a great system," Milroe said. "All the guys on offense are happy about it. It's new and different, but it's going to allow us to be an explosive offense. We are all excited. The standard didn't change. The standard is still the standard. All we want to do is play for the name on the back of our jersey. We're doing a really good job with that."
Last season, Milroe completed 187 of 284 passes for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was also lethal on the ground, running 161 times for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns.
