Reports of Grubb reuniting with Kalen DeBoer surfaced last Sunday and were met with widespread approval. Previously, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban attempted to bring Grubb to Tuscaloosa ahead of the 2023 season, but Grubb chose to stay at Washington, where he played a key role in leading the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. After DeBoer took over for Saban at Alabama, Grubb was once again pursued for the OC position but initially accepted a role with the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, after a year apart, Grubb and DeBoer are back together.
“Ryan Grubb has been someone I’ve trusted for a long time, and his addition only strengthens our coaching staff at Alabama,” DeBoer said in the school’s official announcement. “He’s one of the best offensive minds in the country, and I’m excited to see what he brings to our program moving forward.”
Grubb and DeBoer have a long history together, dating back to their time at Sioux Falls, where they won NAIA national championships with DeBoer as head coach and Grubb serving as run game coordinator and offensive line coach. They later worked together at Eastern Michigan from 2014-16 and then at Fresno State in 2017-18.
When DeBoer left Fresno State for Indiana in 2019, Grubb took over as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator. He later rejoined DeBoer at Fresno State in 2020 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before following him to Washington in 2022.
DeBoer has often credited their strong working relationship, describing their offensive philosophy as a collaborative effort. While DeBoer is widely recognized as an offensive strategist, Grubb has played an instrumental role in that success.
At Washington, Grubb helped revive Michael Penix Jr.’s career, transforming him into a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2023. Under Grubb’s guidance, Penix finished the season ranked in the top 10 nationally in Total QBR and EPA.
“I’m grateful for the chance to work with Coach DeBoer again and be part of an offensive staff I know well,” Grubb said. “I’m confident we’ll put our team in the best position to succeed. I trust this group of coaches and players to uphold Alabama’s high standards, and I’m eager to get to work on the field.”
Grubb also played a key role in recruiting quarterback Austin Mack to Washington as part of the 2023 class. Originally seen as Washington’s future at the position, Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama before the 2024 season.
As Mack competes with Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell for the starting quarterback job, he’ll do so under a coaching staff he’s already familiar with. Alabama is also expected to retain Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard, both of whom worked alongside Grubb at Washington.
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