The college football coaching carousel this winter is going to be a wild ride. There are massive openings already at places like LSU, Florida, and Penn State. Other Power Four jobs, such as Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Stanford, are also available. That's not to mention when the bigger jobs in Baton Rouge, Gainesville, and Happy Valley get filled, it's likely to create vacancies at other programs.
And those won't be the last jobs to open, either. Everyone is keeping a close eye on potential openings at Auburn, Florida State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Kentucky, among others. Ole Miss could be another intriguing opening if Lane Kiffin leaves for LSU or Florida.
It's going to be chaos.
It could also put Kalen DeBoer back on the market for an offensive coordinator.
Ryan Grubb has been a terrific addition to the Alabama staff. DeBoer's long-time lieutenant finally arrived in Tuscaloosa after a one-year hiatus. It could prove to be a short-term stay.
With as many Power Four jobs that are likely to be open in this cycle, one of college football's top play callers is likely going to be a candidate for many potential openings.
Grubb likely won't be a contender at places like LSU or Florida, but what about programs further down the totem pole that won't get their pick of the litter? Maybe places out west like Oregon State or Stanford? Maybe even a Michigan State or Wisconsin?
Perhaps a program that ends up with a surprising vacancy could make the call to Grubb. Some of the top coaches from the G5, like USF's Alex Golesh, Tulane's Jon Sumrall, and Memphis' Ryan Silverfield, could be candidates for Power Four jobs, leaving coveted Group of Five positions open.
Ryan Grubb could be one and done at Alabama
It's known that Grubb wants to be a head coach. He was a candidate to replace DeBoer at Washington less than two years ago. He stayed behind when DeBoer took the Crimson Tide job to interview for the vacancy. That's another potential intriguing landing spot for him in this cycle if Jedd Fisch moves on.
DeBoer and Alabama will do what it takes to try and retain Grubb for another year. It's not impossible, but the wilder the carousel gets, the more likely Grubb would be able to land a head coaching job.
That's a byproduct of the success Alabama has had this season. When programs see you doing well, they want what you have. Grubb has done an excellent job working with Ty Simpson, which will be another big reason programs covet him.
It's inevitable that Grubb will move on for a head coaching job at some point. Alabama fans should go ahead and accept that. It might even be this offseason, with the bigger concern being who from the Tide's staff he ends up taking with him.