The Alabama Crimson Tide football program is in the midst of a ton of change, but so far, new head coach Kalen DeBoer has made significant moves to attempt to pick up right where Nick Saban left off.
DeBoer is a former offensive coordinator himself, but Grubb has been the one to call the plays when the two have worked together at their past two stops. And Alabama players should be thrilled about that if you ask Haener.
One of the most significant moves DeBoer has made was to get his offensive coordinator from Washington, Ryan Grubb, to come halfway across the country and join him in Tuscaloosa as the staff attempts to bring the Huskies explosive spread offense to the SEC.
Former NFL QB Jake Haener, who played under Grubb, believes the new Alabama Crimson Tide OC is one of the biggest keys to DeBoer’s success.
“I think Ryan is one of the best if not the best play callers in college football,” Haener said. “Don’t get me wrong, Kalen is an unbelievable coach and has just as good of an offensive mind, but I think Ryan really holds that offense to a standard and holds people accountable. For me in my six years of college football and my first year in the NFL, there’s nobody even close to the type of coach he is.”
Haener said in DeBoer’s offense at Indiana and Grubb’s at Fresno State and Washington, the terminology was similar. Much of the two offenses are similar, really. Each one just has “a different flavor.”
“They do a really good job throwing ideas off each other,” Haener said. “They’re so comfortable with each other that one guy is not going to get irritated if one guy makes a suggestion.”
Ryan Grubb’s most recent QB’’s was one of the most electric in college football last season.
To put it simply, get ready for a lethal passing attack. The vertical passing game is a hallmark of the offense, both Haener and former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said.
“I would just say the ability to push the ball vertical, but not just throwing four (verticals) at all times,” Penix Jr. told The Tuscaloosa News. “It’s layered throws.”
New Alabama Crimson Tide Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Could Leave For Seattle Seahawks
A report from Mike Florida of Pro Football Talk on Thursday should have some Alabama fans worried to say the least.
Florio’s NFL sources have connected Grubb to the Seattle Seahawks now that new head coach Mike Macdonald has taken over.
Grubb might already be going back to the Pacific Northwest.
Per a league source, Grubb could be joining new coach Mike MacDonald as offensive coordinator of the Seahawks. While it’s not finalized, Grubb is definitely under consideration for the job.
Grubb, 47, has no NFL coaching experience. He previously worked at Fresno State (2017-21), Eastern Michigan (2014-16), Sioux Falls (2007-13), and South Dakota State (2005-06).
It would be unusual for Grubb to leave Alabama after such a short time there. But it gives him a way to get back to Washington, just a few weeks after he left.
Losing Ryan Grubb just a few weeks after convincing him to come to the Alabama Crimson Tide would be a massive blow for DeBoer to say the least. He is expected to play a major role in the development of Jalen Milroe and transitioning Alabama’s offense into an explosive aerial attack.
This will be something to monitor closely.