New Alabama OC Ryan Grubb had one word to describe his play calling

New Alabama football offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb met with the media following the Crimson Tide’s second practice of the spring.

The third time was the charm for Grubb to arrive in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban tried to lure Grubb away from Washington before the 2023 season. Grubb decided to stay with the Huskies and called plays for an explosive Washington offense that saw QB Michael Penix Jr. finish 2nd in Heisman Trophy voting and Washington making it all the way to the national title game.

When Kalen DeBoer was tabbed as Saban’s successor in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer initially hired Grubb to be his OC at Alabama after Grubb was not promoted to the head coaching position at Washington. Just a few short weeks after, Grubb accepted the offensive coordinator job with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, allowing him to stay in the Pacific Northwest.

After just one season with the Seahawks, Grubb was let go and DeBoer swooped in to bring his top lieutenant to Tuscaloosa once and for all.

Following the Crimson Tide’s practice on Wednesday, Grubb was asked to describe his play calling style. He used one word. A word that should excite Alabama fans.

“Aggressive”, said Grubb.

“We’re going to be aggressive,” Grubb continued. “I think that when the players, when it works the best, the understanding that the players have that we got to be responsible with the football, not go backwards, make sure we’re always matriculating the ball down the field, but then be ready for an opportunity to take the shot.”

Grubb’s addition to the coaching staff is massive for DeBoer and Alabama

Kalen DeBoer did not have the staff he intended to have last season. Grubb’s decision to stay in Seattle after initially accepting the OC role in Tuscaloosa threw a monkey wrench in DeBoer’s plans and forced his hand in promoting Nick Sheridan to OC and play caller, a job in which Sheridan just was not ready for.

Grubb has long been considered one of the best play callers in the country and he and DeBoer as a duo have produced formidable offenses at every stop.

If Alabama can figure out the QB position – and with three talented options odds are good that one of them develops into a quality starter – then the Tide’s offense should take a big step in the right direction in 2025.

It will have to in order for Alabama to make the College Football Playoff and for DeBoer and this staff to avoid hot seat talk.