Nick Saban Facilitates Key Decision for Alabama Football Coach Kalen DeBoer’s Offense

Nick Saban helped keep Ty Simpson in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback waited his turn.

Simpson has been with the program since 2022, but wasn’t chosen as QB1 by two different coaches.

As Ty’s father, Jason, revealed on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, a conversation with the winningest coach in the history of Alabama football (.877 win percentage) led to Kalen DeBoer’s eventual starting option sticking it out with the Tide.

“If he wasn’t good enough, as a head coach, just let me know and we’ll find a place,” Jason Simpson recalled of his conversation with Saban three weeks before his retirement in January 2024.

“Coach Saban said, ‘No, Jason. I think he needs to stay right here. It gives him the best opportunity to be a higher draft pick. We’ll surround him with good players. I think he needs to stay here. I feel like we can accomplish the same things when he gets an opportunity to play.’

“That let me know right there that coach Saban thought he had the ability, thought he was a good player.”

Saban’s retirement still meant Jalen Milroe would start in 2024 after the Katy, Texas, native chose to remain after DeBoer’s hiring. Simpson bought into waiting an extra season before getting his shot.

Saban still works for the University of Alabama’s football program, so it’s not impossible to think conversations between the two of them, and perhaps Saban and DeBoer about Simpson, were taking place.

When a coach wins six titles in 17 seasons and leaves on his own terms, his sway doesn’t just go away.

Simpson found that out in the best way, earning the lead early and keeping it in the Crimson Tide’s quarterback competition this offseason.

Alabama faces the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday at 2:30 CT.

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