How Kalen DeBoer Earned the Trust of Ty Simpson’s Father
When Kalen DeBoer took over as Alabama’s head coach, he didn’t just inherit one of the most high-pressure jobs in college football — he also inherited a quarterback room filled with talent and big decisions. Among the players waiting for clarity was Ty Simpson, a former five-star recruit who had been patiently sitting behind Jalen Milroe. But behind Ty stood someone just as invested in his future — his father, Jason Simpson, head coach at UT Martin.
Their first meeting took place in the spring of 2024, when DeBoer was still finding his footing in Tuscaloosa. Jason Simpson wasn’t just there for a polite introduction; he wanted to understand what the new coach really thought of his son’s future. He knew Ty had shown flashes of potential, but Milroe’s success the previous season made the situation complicated.
“I knew Ty had a great spring,” Jason admitted, “but I also knew what Jalen accomplished.”
DeBoer, who had the unenviable task of replacing Nick Saban, approached that meeting with honesty. He didn’t make big promises or offer guarantees. Instead, he spoke like a man who respected the process — and that was exactly what Jason, as a fellow coach, needed to hear.
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“It was comforting,” Jason recalled. “Just hearing him acknowledge that Ty’s going to be a good player — that meant a lot.”
That conversation marked the beginning of a relationship built on trust rather than persuasion. When DeBoer said he valued Ty’s potential, he backed it up through his actions. Even as the transfer portal tempted many programs to grab ready-made quarterbacks, DeBoer stayed firm. He told Jason plainly — Alabama would not pursue a transfer QB. He believed in the talent already in the locker room.
That conviction put Jason at ease. “If I were his offensive coordinator,” Jason joked, “I’d probably be asking how much money we had to get someone throwing for 4,000 yards. But he didn’t take that route.”
By the time Milroe left for the NFL, the stage was set for Ty Simpson to finally take over. The two offseasons of conversations, without empty promises, had built something real — mutual respect. Jason, understanding the grind of college football life, appreciated that DeBoer’s focus was never on quick fixes but on player development and integrity.
Now, as Ty leads Alabama’s offense and rises as a legitimate Heisman contender, those early talks between two coaches — one a father, the other a new leader — feel like the quiet foundation of Alabama’s next great chapter.
“They were great meetings,” Jason summed up, “with no promises. Just honesty.” And sometimes, that’s exactly what it takes to keep a player — and his family — fully committed.
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