Alabama Crimson Tide fans were excited about the Sunday news that Ryan Grubb is returning to Tuscaloosa. A few may suggest that Grubb was just visiting last January when he introduced himself as DeBoer's Offensive Coordinator. Grubb did make an abrupt exit, but the chance to coach at a level he had not experienced before was too much to pass up.
Grubb's NFL OC stint lasted just one season. He was fired after Seattle finished the season at 10-7 and fell short of the NFL Playoffs.
Grubb and Kalen DeBoer have been connected for many years. Grubb coached with DeBoer at Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Washington. Kalen DeBoer's offense, with Ryan Grubb's assistance and play-calling, dazzled the college football world in the 2023 season.
There have been reports that Grubb declined an offer from Nick Saban to be the Tide's OC for the 2023 season. Grubb talked to Saban about the job, but some Alabama football insiders claim that Nick would not give Grubb full control to build a new Alabama offense. According to those insiders, there was no offer and thereby no rejection. It makes sense that since Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian had to inject new wrinkles into Saban's, Alabama offensive style, Grubb would not have been given free rein.
Grubb will now run the system he knows and trusts in Tuscaloosa. What will the Grubb hire mean to the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback competition? Ty Simpson has the confidence of many Alabama fans who admire him for sticking around and waiting his turn. There has been recent buzz that many players respect Simpson's leadership skills and toughness. Kalen DeBoer has spoken highly of Simpson getting his opportunity to earn the starting job.
A most interesting Alabama Crimson Tide Quarterback Competition
Most fans have thought Simpson's biggest challenge would come from freshman phenom, Keelon Russell. With a final player ranking for the 2025 class, Russell became the highest-rated recruit ever for the Alabama Crimson Tide. That's a load of firepower on the heels of Ty Simpson.
With the addition of Ryan Grubb, Alabama's quarterback competition has a new wrinkle. Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb recruited Austin Mack to Washington. The highly valued prospect skipped his high school senior season to enroll at Washington. When Grubb talked about Mack, he showed sincere enthusiasm, "I am crazy fired up about this kid ... Austin is different than anybody I’ve ever recruited. His mindset and intelligence and body type, I think they’re more rare than anybody can possibly imagine, honestly... You’re talking about a 6-6 kid that can run. He’s a student of the game. Wants nothing more than to be great at what he does. And he’s a really, really grounded kid from a phenomenal family."
No one should suggest that because of Ryan Grubb, Austin Mack is going to leapfrog Keelon Russell and Ty Simpson. There will be an open competition for the starting QB job. But Austin Mack has one advantage from already knowing Kalen DeBoer's Washington offense.