Report: Alabama offensive assistant following Ryan Grubb to Seattle, others staying in Tuscaloosa

Alabama faithful are waking up on Saturday with disappointment, as Kalen DeBoer has to find an offensive coordinator after losing his trusted assistant Ryan Grubb.

Late Friday evening, it was revealed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Grubb would be leaving Tuscaloosa before ever really getting started, returning to the West Coast to join the Seattle Seahawks as their new offensive coordinator. While it’s an awesome opportunity for Grubb, it’s left the Crimson Tide in a bind.

As DeBoer mulls what Alabama will do to replace Grubb, the Crimson Tide are waiting on some decisions from the rest of their offensive staff. In the meantime, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg provided some insight into how it’s shaping up, and what coaches are staying in Tuscaloosa, while some follow Grubb to Seattle.

“What I’m hearing on Alabama’s staff, per sources, following Ryan Grubb’s departure,” Rittenberg posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “OL coach Scott Huff expected to join Seahawks. Nick Sheridan (TEs) and JaMarcus Shephard (WRs) both likely to stay as co-OCs, which is significant. Sheridan could be playcaller, move to QBs.

“Alabama would need to fill OL and TE jobs, as Robert Gillespie was retained for running backs.”

Alas, it remains to be seen what the fate of the rest of Alabama’s staff is, and whether or not DeBoer looks to hire an outside play-caller. Regardless, he can’t miss on the hire, as the Crimson Tide’s offense must be up to par in 2024, or there could be some serious issues.

More on Ryan Grubb, Seattle Seahawks

Ryan Grubb had been linked in the past week with Seattle’s offensive coordinator opening, a chance to join head coach Mike Macdonald’s staff. That will indeed happen, leaving Alabama without an offensive coordinator for the time being. For Grubb, it’s the next stop as part of a meteoric rise through the coaching ranks. 

Grubb has spent the bulk of his career alongside DeBoer, coaching with him at Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Washington. His success at Washington put him on the NFL’s radar. The Huskies owned the 13th ranked offense in the FBS this past season, which carried them to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. put up big numbers over the last two seasons in Grubb’s offense, and now finds himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Grubb will get to work in looking to improve Seattle’s offense, which ranked 21st in the NFL this season. There are certainly worse situations to walk into, as the Seahawks are loaded with young talent on the offensive side of the ball. Those include running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, receivers DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, to go along with veteran quarterback Geno Smith and veteran wideout Tyler Lockett.