Nick Sheridan won't be calling plays next season for Alabama football following the hire of Ryan Grubb to be the offensive coordinator, but Sheridan will still have a key role on Kalen DeBoer's staff. It was reported on Monday by 247's Alex Scarborough that Sheridan will coach Alabama's quarterbacks next season.
It was reported shortly after Grubb's hiring was announced last Sunday that Sheridan would be retained, but his role had yet to be determined. Having Sheridan as the dedicated QB coach will be big for the development of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell.
Grubb has served as DeBoer's offensive coordinator/QB coach in stops at Fresno State and Washington. He will certainly have a hand in the room and the development of the players in it, but this will also free him up to oversee the entire offense, much like Kane Wommack is now doing with the defense following the on-field promotion for long-time DeBoer assistant Chuck Morrell to LBs coach.
Sheridan was a college QB at Michigan from 2006-2010. He's no stranger to coaching the position, either. He served as the passing game coordinator and QBs coach during stops at both Western Kentucky and South Florida. He was the QB coach at Indiana in 2017-2018 and then served as the Hoosiers' offensive coordinator and QB coach in 2020-2021 after DeBoer left to become the head coach at Fresno State.
Having a dedicated QB coach this season is a smart move for DeBoer as Alabama will be breaking in a new starter following Jalen Milroe's departure to the NFL. Redshirt junior Ty Simpson has the inside track to be the team's starter, but he will be pushed by redshirt sophomore Austin Mack, and 5-star true freshman Keelon Russell.
The hiring of a new OC figured to make the job up for grabs, but Sheridan's retention as the QB coach should be good news for Simpson. It gives him continuity in the QB room for the first time during his career at Alabama. This is the fourth offensive coordinator Simpson will have learned under going into his fourth season at Alabama.
He started under Bill O'Brien, spent his second season with Tommy Rees in charge, and then last year with Sheridan. This is DeBoer's system and it was Nick Saban's system under O'Brien and Rees, but continuity is important and Simpson will have that for the first time in his Crimson Tide career.
Mack has the most experience in this system, having followed DeBoer and company from Washington. He seems to be the forgotten man in this competition, with most assuming it's going to come down to Simpson and the freshman phenom Russell.
Improved QB play will be vital for Alabama next season. This move will help with that.