Former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel spoke about Ty Simpson winning the Alabama job and he said it was because of his loyalty.
Weeks before the college football season begins, Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer named Ty Simpson the starting quarterback over incoming freshman Keelon Russell and Washington Huskies transfer Austin Mack.
Simpson is entering his fourth year in college, and he was the backup to Jalen Milroe in each of the last two seasons. Simpson went 29-of-50 for 381 yards across the past three seasons in a backup role.
Now Simpson will begin the year as Alabama's QB1 against the Florida State Seminoles on Aug. 30.
Rick Neuheisel Reacts to Ty Simpson Winning QB Job
Former UCLA Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel joined "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning" and spoke about Simpson winning the job.
"I think there's a number of quarterback situations across the country that they are going to coach around the quarterback a little bit until they know what they have," Neuheisel said. "When you read what Kalen DeBoer said about Ty and he's deserving this chance because of his loyalty to the program, that isn't him winning the job. That is him having been there long enough so he gets the first chance."
After Simpson was named the starter, DeBoer spoke highly of the quarterback's loyalty to the program, which is what Neuheisel mentioned in the segment.
“That’s what’s great and why I love rooting for Ty is just the journey he’s been on and the way he’s been loyal to Alabama, loyal to his teammates,” DeBoer said, via Charlie Potter of On3. “He continued to stay and keep fighting and do it in a way where he never lowered his level of character and always kept being a great teammate."
Neuheisel also mentioned the offense will not lean too heavily on Simpson to start the season. However, that might be more difficult after starting running back Jam Miller was ruled out indefinitely due to an upper-body injury.
Simpson Facing Pressure with High Hopes for Alabama
Alabama came in at No. 8 in the preseason coaches poll and the preseason Associated Press poll, so there are lofty expectations despite a lot of changes to the roster.
With Mack and Russell, the five-star recruit, waiting in the wings, it could also be a short leash for Simpson if he gets off to a rough start, although Neuheisel mentioned the mindset Simpson needs to have.
"He's gotta go in there and say, 'This is my job, I'm going to go there and win the game,'" Neuheisel said after the segment.
Alabama begins the season with a road game against Florida State and then hosts the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and Wisconsin Badgers before kicking off SEC play against the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 27.
Related: Ty Simpson Reacts to Being Named Alabama’s Starting QB
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Category: General Sports
