Assessing Ryan Grubb saga, Alabama's new plan at offensive coordinator
Alabama fans received a shock to the system last week when Ryan Grubb accepted an offer to become the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. Grubb was previously expected to follow head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington and be Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Although Grubb introduced himself as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator at a speaking event on National Signing Day, Alabama never officially hired him. In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples, BamaOnline’s Tim Watts revealed how Grubb’s decision unfolded.
“This week he was speaking to Red Elephant clubs,” Watts said. “I heard and talked to people that attended the events. Kalen DeBoer introduced him as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. People met him and shook his hand. It became official Wednesday when he walked up, stood in Alabama gear and said, ‘I’m Ryan Grubb. I’m your offensive coordinator.’
“He announced himself at that moment, so you thought maybe this was behind them. You thought maybe the staff was settled in because there had been a lot of discussion because he hadn’t changed his social media. Again — I’m not sure that was a big clue, because I’m not sure he’s a guy that really cares much about social media, but he was the only coach to that didn’t do it. There were questions being asked. And, Friday night, out of the blue, he shows up, having dinner with the Seahawks’ head coach and I think the GM. All of it just kind of broke loose really fast.”
The breakneck nature of the situation has left DeBoer in an awkward position. Nearly halfway through February, most of the natural coaching turnover in the offseason has already occurred. In other words, the market is scarce for offensive coordinators.
Who can replace Ryan Grubb?
Despite outside concerns, Watts believes fans shouldn’t be so quick to concern.
“When I started digging into [Kalen DeBoer], I mean the one thing is, talking to coaches that know who he is, coaches that have coached with them, they all described him as the offensive madman,” Watts said. “They all talked about him being the genius behind the offense, so he was getting all that credit to begin with.
“That’s not to take anything away from Ryan Grubb because I think his reputation precedes him. You can see the interest that he’s drawn. He obviously did a good job, but when they described Kalen DeBoer. It was pretty similar to when they would talk about Alabama’s defense all these years and Nick Saban. It’s his system, it’s always going to be his system and it feeds off him.”
So, if Alabama does still have its offensive mastermind, who will be his next prodigy? Watts has a few ideas.
“He’s got a lot of options,” Watts said. “I think [Alabama tight ends coach] Nick Sheridan is one. I think you’re gonna hear some popular names pop up, but to know he had some sort of plan based on what the athletic director said they had, I think that he’s not starting at square one.”