Throughout Jalen Milroe’s football career, coaches have told him he shouldn’t play quarterback. According to Milroe, that includes Bill O’Brien his former offensive coordinator at Alabama.

Speaking at a pregame media event for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Milroe explained:

“My own offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told me I shouldn’t play quarterback. There’s a lot of things I can have motivation on and that’s something I have motivation from,” Milroe said in a ballroom of the Sheraton Grand in Los Angeles. … “He told me a bunch of positions I could have switched to, but look where I’m at right now, you know what I’m saying? Who gets the last laugh?”

Milroe was a four-star recruit out of Katy, Texas and committed to Alabama in August of 2020. O’Brien joined Nick Saban’s staff as coordinator and quarterback coach for the first of two seasons in January of 2021 after a stint with the Houston Texas. Milroe was Bryce Young’s backup last fall, appearing in two key games at Arkansas and then at home versus Texas A&M.

After winning Alabama’s starting job this fall by Week 4, Milroe found a rhythm and helped UA to an 11-game winning streak, a Southeastern Conference title and a trip to the CFP. Milroe finished sixth in the Heisman Award voting. He produced 35 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards of offense.

“My biggest thing is I want to do everything that calls for the game plan, really maximize and mastering what Coach (Tommy) Rees calls. And whether it’s passing the ball, whether it’s handing the ball off, whether it’s running, I try to maximize all the opportunities I have on the football field,” Milroe said earlier this season.

O’Brien left Tuscaloosa in January of 2023 to return to the NFL. He’s currently the offensive coordinator with Mac Jones and the New England Patriots.

He wasn’t the first coach to tell Milroe to change positions. Black quarterbacks often face a bias that they’re run-first or have a natural inability to process defenses.

A reporter then asked Milroe a follow-up for his reaction to O’Brien’s suggestion. The third-year breakout player responded candidly: “How would you feel if I told you you suck?” Milroe asked.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].