4 Ryan Grubb replacements that Kalen DeBoer should already be thinking about

Alabama's offensive explosion in the early part of the season made it appear that maybe, just maybe, Ryan Grubb had turned the corner as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator and play-caller. He was committing to the running game, and Keelon Russell's rapid development made the Crimson Tide look like a real national title contender.

And then the last two weeks happened.

Alabama ran into back-to-back elite defenses, and Grubb had zero answers. The offense combined to score just 27 points in consecutive regular-season losses for the first time since 2007. Now, the season is on the brink with five games to go and zero margin for error left in the College Football Playoff race.

Alabama's offense isn't doing anything well right now. He abandoned the run game, ignored the short-passing game, and put way too much on the plate of Russell in a hostile environment on Saturday. The Tide didn't record a single first down until their fourth possession of the game, and the slow starts have frequently been a problem under Grubb's leadership:

It's hard to see a path forward with Grubb. If Kalen DeBoer wants to win big at Alabama, he may have to make an uncomfortable decision with someone who has been with him in coaching for a long time.

He should already have these four candidates in mind to potentially replace Grubb after the season:

4. Mitch Dahlen, Oregon State OC

DeBoer is very familiar with Dahlen. The current Oregon State OC worked for DeBoer at three different stops: Fresno State, Washington, and Alabama. He was in Tuscaloosa the last two seasons before joining JaMarcus Shephard in Corvallis as the Beavers' offensive coordinator.

Early returns in Dahlen's first season as a play-caller have been brilliant. Oregon State ranks first in the country in yards per play this season at 7.2.

He's got the familiarity with DeBoer's system, but with only one season of play-calling experience, taking over at Alabama may be too big a jump too quickly. But perhaps he could sway star Oregon State WR Jesse Legree to join him in Tuscaloosa as a bonus.

3. Bryan Ellis, Alabama QBs coach

The answer at OC for Alabama may already be on the staff.

QBs coach Bryan Ellis joined the Tide's staff two years ago to coach the tight ends before shifting over to the quarterback room after Nick Sheridan departed to take the Michigan State offensive coordinator position.

Ellis has experience as a play caller, leading prolific offenses at both Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky in the past. If there's a mutual parting of ways with Grubb following this season, Ellis would be an easy transition that would likely keep everyone on the roster happy.

2. Chip Kelly, Northwestern OC

Northwestern is 5-1 and ranked in the Top 25. Why? The offense has had a complete 180 under new OC Chip Kelly. A unit that ranked 91st in yards per play last season has improved to 35th in 2026.

Kelly is a mastermind on that side of the ball. There aren't many play callers better at maximizing his personnel than Kelly. He's calling some real wacky stuff for Northwestern to take advantage of his team's strengths. Also, don't forget, he was the OC at Ohio State two years ago when the Buckeyes won the National Championship.

This would be a major shift for DeBoer out of his comfort zone, but this is the kind of hire that could push Alabama over the top.

1. Rob Ezell, Wake Forest OC

A former Alabama walk-on, Ezell is one of the fastest-rising young coaches in the country. He joined Jake Dickert's Wake Forest staff in 2025, and the Demon Deacons have consistently had one of the top offenses in college football since.

Wake is off to a 6-1 start this year with only a competitive loss to Miami as a blemish on its resume. They are very much in the thick of the College Football Playoff race. Ezell's offense is a big reason why, with Wake Forest sitting at 11th in the country in yards per play.

This could be a "Momma calling" moment for Ezell, who could relish the opportunity to call plays at his alma mater.

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