Alabama has made it official Ryan Grubb is the new offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide. The long-anticipated move, announced Thursday, reunites Grubb with head coach Kalen DeBoer, reigniting a successful partnership that has flourished at multiple programs.
Grubb’s name has been linked to Alabama before. Former head coach Nick Saban sought to bring him to Tuscaloosa ahead of the 2023 season, but Grubb opted to stay at Washington, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship. After Saban’s retirement, DeBoer took over the Alabama program and again set his sights on Grubb for the OC role only for Grubb to initially accept a position with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, after a brief detour, the two offensive minds are back together.
“Ryan Grubb has been someone that I have trusted for a long time, and adding him to our staff only improves the quality of coaches we have here at Alabama,” DeBoer said in the school’s official statement. “He is one of the best offensive minds in the country, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to our organization moving forward.”
Grubb and DeBoer’s coaching bond dates back years, beginning with their time at Sioux Falls, where they won NAIA national championships together. Their professional journey continued through Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Washington, with Grubb playing an instrumental role in developing high-powered offenses at each stop.
At Washington, Grubb helped quarterback Michael Penix Jr. overcome past injuries to become a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2023. Under Grubb’s guidance, Penix ranked among the nation’s top 10 in Total QBR and Expected Points Added (EPA), cementing Grubb’s reputation as an elite offensive architect.
Grubb expressed excitement about his return to DeBoer’s staff and the opportunity to help shape Alabama’s future.
“I’m thankful to get an opportunity to work with Coach DeBoer once again and to be a part of an offensive staff that I am very familiar with,” Grubb said. “I am confident that our staff will be able to put the team in the best position to win each time out. I know and trust that this group of coaches and players will work tirelessly to meet the standard that has been set here at Alabama, and I can’t wait to get out on the field with them.”
One of Grubb’s key recruits at Washington, quarterback Austin Mack, has also followed DeBoer to Alabama, joining a quarterback competition that includes Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell. With Grubb now leading the offense, the battle for Alabama’s starting QB role will take place under a familiar and proven system.
In addition to Grubb, Alabama is expected to retain Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard both of whom worked with him at Washington providing further continuity to DeBoer’s offensive vision.
This latest move solidifies Alabama’s commitment to maintaining an elite offensive attack, and with Grubb now in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide’s firepower just got even stronger.
