Ryan Grubb reportedly leaving Alabama for coordinator position in NFL
Ryan Grubb has now turned down the opportunity to work at Alabama twice.
According to multiple reports, the former Washington offensive coordinator is joining Mike Macdonald’s staff as the Seattle Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator. 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz first reported the news, followed shortly thereafter by ESPN and The Seattle Times.
Grubb had accepted the OC position with the Alabama Crimson Tide back in January, agreeing to follow Kalen DeBoer from Seattle to Tuscaloosa alongside several other Washington assistant coaches. A month later, he’s returning to the Pacific Northwest.
Grubb is expected to bring Alabama (and former UW) offensive line coach Scott Huff with him to the Seahawks, according to ESPN. Wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shepard and tight ends coach Nick Sheridan were also UW imports who could find themselves being courted by Grubb.
Speculation about Grubb’s interest in the Seahawks’ job was well-documented. Though he had been seen out and about on the recruiting trail in recent weeks, Alabama had yet to formally announce the hire, which only fueled speculation that Grubb wasn’t long for the job.
There was also his initial desire to remain in Seattle. Following DeBoer’s decision to leave Washington, Grubb made it publicly known that he wanted the head coaching job with the Huskies but Washington passed on hiring him in favor of bringing in Jedd Fisch from Arizona.
Grubb’s offense has had success everywhere. Shifts, motions, and a relentless downfield attack are the hallmarks. Grubb’s ability to manipulate coverages and get his best players into one-on-ones helped power Washington to a Pac-12 title and a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance in 2023. It also landed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in New York City as a Heisman finalist and propelled wideout Rome Odunze into a likely top-10 NFL Draft pick.
With Seattle owning the 16th pick in the upcoming draft, a potential Seattle reunion with Grubb and Penix is in play.
For the Crimson Tide, the departure is going to hurt. In Grubb, Alabama had one of the top play-callers in the sport. Huff also coached Washington’s offensive line to a Joe Moore Award in 2023.
Nick Saban briefly courted Grubb to serve as his offensive coordinator after the 2022 season. Grubb took a trip to Tuscaloosa but ultimately decided to remain at Washington. A year later, he helped the Tide get through National Signing Day before leaving.
Alabama signed the No. 2 class in the country, according to the 247 Composite. The transfer haul also featured three former Washington players — quarterback Austin Mack, offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, and wideout Germie Bernard.
Now, DeBoer finds himself in uncharted waters. His working relationship with Grubb dates back to 2007, when they were both on staff together at Sioux Falls. Grubb has been DeBoer’s offensive coordinator throughout his entire head coaching career, which dates back to Fresno State.