Kalen DeBoer is gearing up to take on the challenge of replacing Nick Saban at Alabama in 2024, and he is confident in his ability to succeed. He is fortunate to have a talented quarterback, Jalen Milroe, returning to the Crimson Tide after an impressive season in 2023. Milroe’s stellar performance last season, throwing for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns, has made him a popular pick for the Heisman Trophy this year.
DeBoer has a track record of developing top quarterbacks in college football. He has helped players like Michael Penix Jr. and Jake Haener reach new heights in their careers. DeBoer believes in adjusting his offensive system to cater to the strengths of his quarterbacks, as he discussed in a recent interview. With the support of his offensive staff, including Bryan Ellis, DeBoer is confident in guiding Milroe to a successful season.
Looking back over the past decade, we can see some of the best quarterback-coach duos in their first year together. For instance, Jalen Hurts and Nick Saban led Alabama to a 14-1 record in 2016, with Hurts winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Baker Mayfield and Lincoln Riley had an outstanding season in 2017, culminating in a Heisman Trophy win for Mayfield. Gardner Minshew and Mike Leach found success at Washington State in 2018, with Minshew earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors.
In 2019, we saw impressive performances from quarterbacks like Justin Fields at Ohio State and Sam Howell at North Carolina. Fields led the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record and a Big Ten MVP award, while Howell set an FBS record for passing touchdowns by a true freshman. Jalen Hurts continued to shine under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Bo Nix and Dan Lanning made an impact at Oregon in 2022, with Nix showing significant improvement under Lanning’s guidance. Michael Penix Jr. thrived under Kalen DeBoer at Washington, earning accolades like the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
These quarterback-coach duos have demonstrated the importance of strong partnerships in college football. As Kalen DeBoer embarks on his journey at Alabama with Jalen Milroe, they have the potential to join the ranks of these successful pairs. The upcoming season will be an exciting one to watch as we see how their partnership unfolds on the field.