Ryan Grubb Seemingly Assuages Seattle Seahawks Rumors
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It appears Alabama's new offensive coordinator will be staying put.
Ryan Grubb, who is part of the new coaching staff in Tuscaloosa under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, has recently been linked to the still-open offensive coordinator job with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. The most recent rumors have centered around former two-time NFL head coach Chip Kelly, however, and Grubb gave a strong indication Wednesday that he is not going to be taking the job. When speaking at the National Signing Day event hosted by Yea Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the 47-year-old introduced himself as the new Crimson Tide offensive coordinator.
DeBoer and Grubb go way back, all the way to Sioux Falls, the former's first college head coaching gig. Grubb's stops as offensive coordinator at the college level include Fresno State and Washington. He was a candidate for Alabama's coordinator opening left by Bill O'Brien's departure to New England after the 2022-23 season, but stayed in Seattle, where he and DeBoer helped guide the Huskies to a national championship game appearance. Tommy Rees, the Crimson Tide offensive coordinator last season, was officially announced this week as the new tight ends coach and pass game specialist for the Cleveland Browns.
In addition to the fact that his ties to DeBoer run deep, Grubb has not coached at the NFL level before. The Washington job was his first at a Power Five school, to the tune of great success. Alongside the Huskies' team accolades, star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished as the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting with Grubb as his quarterbacks coach.
