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.
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.”
Header 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.”
Ryan Grubb Leaving Alabama Crimson Tide For Seattle Seahawks OC Vacancy According To Report
Roughly two weeks ago, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported the Seattle Seahawks had strong interest in Grubb.
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.
Now, according to multiple reports, Ryan Grubb’s stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide was a short one and DeBoer will have to scramble to find his replacement.
In the end, Grubb’s time in Tuscaloosa, well, barely got started. The former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator, who was expected to follow Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, is taking the offensive coordinator job with the Seattle Seahawks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Friday.
Grubb, 47, had yet to make things official with Alabama despite announcing last month he was leaving Washington after DeBoer was named the next head coach of the Crimson Tide, replacing the retiring Nick Saban. Grubb, however, had been on the road recruiting for Alabama ahead of National Singing Day. During a speaking event Wednesday, Grubb introduced himself as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Grubb was set to follow DeBoer to Alabama after getting passed over for the head coaching job at Washington. He made it known he wanted to be DeBoer’s replacement, but instead, the Huskies hired former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch.
