Alabama football is reportedly set to hire former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as their next offensive coordinator, per ESPN’s Chris Low.
Grubb follows Kalen DeBoer, who was hired as Alabama’s next head coach, and Nick Saban’s replacement, last Friday.
The common belief once DeBoer left Seattle for Tuscaloosa was that Grubb would be Washington’s first choice to fill the head coaching vacancy, and that he would take it.
While it’s unclear whether or not Grubb was Washington’s first choice, Grubb posted on X Saturday that he would not be the Huskies’ next head coach.
— Ryan Grubb (@GrubbRyan) January 14, 2024
In addition to Grubb, DeBoer will be bringing over most of his offensive staff from the past two seasons at Washington, according to Low.
Kalen DeBoer’s staff at @AlabamaFTBL is continuing to take shape. Ryan Grubb (OC), JaMarcus Shephard (WR) and Jerret McElwain (director of scouting) expected to follow DeBoer from Washington. Freddie Roach (DL) and Robert Gillespie (RB) expected to be retained.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) January 14, 2024
With all the staff changes, expect to see a much different Alabama offense next season. In the last two years at Washington, DeBoer, Grubb and the rest of the staff have created an exciting product featuring a lot of passing. Granted, Grubb and co. have had the luxury of having their offense run through reigning Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr., but it’s important to note that the slower, more run-heavy style of offense Tommy Rees incorporated in 2023 will likely cease to exist in 2024.
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Washington finished 12th in offensive yards per game this season and fifth in total yards. The Huskies were also second in passing yards per game last season and first in total pass yards. Alabama did not finish in the top 50 in three of the four aforementioned offensive stat categories.
Anything can happen this offseason, but it looks as if DeBoer and Grubb will have Jalen Milroe as their starting quarterback in 2024. Milroe had an interesting 2023, putting together a great second half of the season after a poor start.
Assuming Milroe is the guy heading into the season, he will likely be a popular preseason Heisman pick given Alabama’s new look, exciting offense.
