Seahawks insider explains timing of Ryan Grubb hire, reason why Alabama never officially announced

Seattle Seahawks insider Bob Condotta explained the timing of the Ryan Grubb hire to the team, instead of Alabama.

Grubb was expected to follow Kalen DeBoer to Alabama from Washington as the team’s OC, but the move was never officially announced. Instead, he’ll join Mike Macdonald’s staff with the Seahawks at the pro level, barely leaving the area.

Macdonald, who is the former Michigan defensive coordinator from 2021, noted that a college coach could get the role of offensive coordinator on his Seahawks staff.

“Macdonald had foreshadowed that someone with a college background could get the job when he said at his introductory news conference that NFL play-calling experience was not a priority in an OC,” Condotta wrote.

The telling quote from Macdonald came up when he was asked about his process to hire an offensive coordinator.

“It’s not near the top of the list [of priorities],” Macdonald said. “We’re looking for the right person to come in here and build this thing, so we want somebody that’s open-minded, that has a growth mindset, that can connect with their players, and build a system that’s unique to the Seattle Seahawks that’s going to live here for a long time and who’s going to be the one spearheading it.”

However, Seattle always had its eyes set on Grubb. The coach would’ve been a logical fit under DeBoer at Alabama in the same role, but the NFL interest kept it from happening in an official capacity.

“Though the Seahawks had interest in Grubb from the start, one reason for waiting to make the hire official was to allow a 30-day window for Alabama players to enter the transfer portal to pass,” Condotta wrote. “Nick Saban announced he was retiring as Alabama’s coach, opening a 30-day window. But the window passes Saturday.”

Grubb, 47, had yet to make things official with Alabama despite announcing last month he was leaving Washington after DeBoer was named the next head coach of the Crimson Tide, replacing the retiring Nick Saban. 

Grubb, however, had been on the road recruiting for Alabama ahead of National Singing Day. During a speaking event Wednesday, Grubb introduced himself as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. That, of course, is no longer the case.

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.