Alabama football and Ryan Grubb’s time is finally here: What does it mean for Tide’s offense?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ryan Grubb couldn’t keep a smile off his face as he walked the halls of Alabama’s practice facility in early February. He hadn’t been there long, but when he heard the loud, familiar voice of wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard from a distance, it took Grubb back a few years.

Back then, Grubb, Shephard, Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan and more were leading a high-powered offense at Washington. Now, that same opportunity is present at Alabama.

“That’s the part that gets underestimated a little bit in situations like this,” Grubb said. “You have relationships, and you have to go through bumps, right? Tough things, whether it’s on or off the field. Then when you’ve got to figure out how to throw the ball against Cover 3, that part seems pretty easy. Familiarity and the ease of transition through some of the tough moments makes it a lot easier.”

There have been some tough moments and decisions that led to Grubb’s arrival in Tuscaloosa, including turning down the offensive coordinator position from Nick Saban in 2023, then following DeBoer to Alabama one year later only to reverse course after a few weeks and accept the offensive coordinator position with the Seattle Seahawks. But then he was fired after just one season with the Seahawks.

He described his exit from Seattle as “the toughest part” of last year amid a season of highs and lows. Quarterback Geno Smith posted career-highs in completion percentage (70.4) and passing yards (4,320), but the Seahawks ran the ball the fourth-fewest times in the NFL last season (383) and had the fifth-fewest rushing yards (1,627).

Despite a 10-7 overall record, Grubb was let go, and it opened the door for a third chance to lead Alabama’s offense.

Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, left, and head coach Kalen DeBoer will working through a quarterback competition heading into the 2025 season. (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“I had a lot of relationships in that locker room, guys I still talk to today,” Grubb said. “Just the experience to be with (Smith) and grow as a coach. I thought that part was worth it in that sense. There were a lot of things that I felt like I got to be a part of in the NFL that really opened my eyes to some of the defensive structures and things like that. So I think that that was a huge plus.”

Grubb turned down Saban because he felt Washington was poised for a big 2023, and he was right. Then, the option to keep his family in Seattle by accepting the Seahawks job, among other things, kept him from Alabama last year.

“Obviously I felt like there’s a lot of things already in place here,” Grubb said. “Being able to come in here and get some things off the ground that guys have already seen, I felt like I could be an addition to, not necessarily uproot everything that’s going on. Just felt like there’s a lot of groundwork laid that we should have a good opportunity for success.”

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Grubb is taking over Alabama’s offense at a critical point. Last season’s unit was explosive at times but not balanced or consistent enough. Alabama finished 22nd nationally in points per game (33.8) but was outside the top 40 in total offense (42nd), pass offense (56th), rush offense (47th) and first downs per game (62nd).

The team’s biggest question this spring is about the offense: Who is the starting quarterback? Finding that answer is Grubb’s top priority as he works with Sheridan, whom Grubb replaced as the offensive coordinator and play caller. He offered some insight about each quarterback on Wednesday, praising Ty Simpson for his work ethic and his ability to process the offense, Austin Mack for his improved mechanics and maturity leap since Grubb worked with him in 2023 and Keelon Russell for his “unflappable” mindset and how he works through mistakes.

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While the quarterback competition is the biggest storyline, it’s worth noting that each offensive position group has a question that must be answered. The running game needs a new identity after Jalen Milroe’s departure, the receiver group has several new faces, and the tight end group and the offensive line are light on numbers because of injuries.

But Alabama’s coaching staff has a full-time assistant coach at each position, which gives Grubb the ability to be an overseer.

“It gives me the flexibility to be in the rooms that I need to be in and talk to the people I gotta talk to,” Grubb said. “If another position group or a coach needs help, I can move myself into that room and try to utilize my skills with the offense somewhere else. But most of the time, it’s always gonna be with the quarterbacks. I think that relationship is key.”

There’s some carryover and familiarity with the players on the roster, and the few weeks that Grubb had with the team last offseason offered a brief introduction to his coaching style. This past month, heading into spring practice has been a crash course. DeBoer described Grubb as “one of the best offensive minds in the country” at the time of his hire. On Wednesday, Grubb described his style of offense as “aggressive,” citing the need to meticulously move the ball and take shots when necessary. That’s a balancing act that needs to improve this fall if Alabama is to return to the College Football Playoff.

Two days of practice are hardly enough to draw sweeping conclusions, but Grubb’s impact has been felt in his first 30 days.

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“There’s a system in place that Coach DeBoer has put in,” wide receiver Germier Bernard said. “Each offensive coordinator kinda puts in their own little inputs, but for the most part, it’s really the same. (Grubb) brought some of his NFL terminology, and the way that we construct things are a little different.

“The offense that he has, as we’ve all seen in 2023, is very explosive. Just to be able to have that system back and especially with the guys that we have, I know that we’ll be able to recreate some good things.”

(Top photo of Kalen DeBoer, left, and Ryan Grubb: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)