Ryan Grubb reveals a surprising reason why coaching at Alabama is such a valued opportunity
The Alabama Crimson Tide made the obvious hire this offseason after Kalen DeBoer had the opportunity to reunite with Ryan Grubb. His former offensive coordinator at Washington became available after only one year as the Seattle Seahawks playcaller, and everyone knew the two had an interest in getting back together. Grubb nearly accepted the position […]
The Alabama Crimson Tide made the obvious hire this offseason after Kalen DeBoer had the opportunity to reunite with Ryan Grubb. His former offensive coordinator at Washington became available after only one year as the Seattle Seahawks playcaller, and everyone knew the two had an interest in getting back together. Grubb nearly accepted the position a year ago before Seattle made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Instead of going elsewhere, Grubb is in Alabama, and doing a great job with first-year quarterback Ty Simpson. The Heisman Trophy candidate has been as cerebral as any passer in the nation under Grubb, showing that DeBoer needed the combination of a pocket thrower and vertical passing game to be at his best. Alabama is in the thick of the College Football Playoff race thanks to the two.
Early this week, Grubb revealed why Alabama was so attractive beyond his connection with DeBoer and the school’s prestige.
Alabama’s difficult SEC schedule and challenge lured Ryan Grubb
In the midst of a brutal seven-week stretch with six games against ranked opponents, Alabama is trying to pull off an incredible run. With three ranked wins in a row and No. 11 Tennessee coming to Tuscaloosa this week, Grubb has his work cut out for him. But, he says that was attractive to him.
“I love lining up every week playing tough, ranked teams…Our players are up for it. It’s one of the best parts about being at Alabama,” Grubb said.
The Crimson Tide ranks 36th in offensive scoring, 39th in yards produced, 18th in third-down conversion rate, and 15th in passing yards. Grubb has overcome a limited run game by maximizing Simpson, who is rising in 2026 NFL Draft projections.
This tough strength of schedule has Alabama with the fifth-toughest pathway thus far, and that even feels low. After Tennessee, Grubb and this offense must go to South Carolina before hosting the elite defenses of LSU and Oklahoma. We’ll see how the first-year Tide coach handles the pressure as it mounts.
