Washington’s offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, is poised to join Coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama, alongside other staff members, as reported by ESPN’s Chris Low. Receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and scouting director Jerret McElwain are also expected to make the transition to the Crimson Tide, signaling a significant staff shift following DeBoer’s departure.
Grubb, who had previously turned down interest from Alabama last offseason, choosing to stay with DeBoer at Washington, confirmed on Twitter late Saturday night that he would not be the Huskies’ next head coach. This announcement fueled speculation about his potential move to DeBoer’s staff at Alabama.
The developments shed light on Washington’s coaching search, concluding with the hiring of Jedd Fisch from Arizona to fill the head coaching position.
— Ryan Grubb (@GrubbRyan) January 14, 2024
Grubb played a pivotal role in orchestrating Washington’s impressive offensive performance, propelling the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they faced a 34-13 defeat against Michigan. The Huskies secured the 13th spot nationally in both total offense, averaging 462.1 yards per game, and scoring offense, with an average of 36 points per game. Notably, Washington consistently scored over 30 points in nine out of 12 regular-season games and maintained an impressive four touchdowns per game during the postseason, including the Pac-12 Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
Under Grubb’s guidance, Washington’s offensive line received the prestigious Joe Moore Award for being the nation’s top collective unit. Additionally, wide receiver Rome Odunze earned All-American honors and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, while quarterback Michael Penix Jr. secured second place in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The professional partnership between Grubb and DeBoer extends back to 2007 when DeBoer hired Grubb as his offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Sioux Falls in the NAIA ranks. Their collaborative journey continued through various coaching roles and teams, including stints at Eastern Michigan and Fresno State. Grubb consistently followed DeBoer, maintaining a close professional relationship. In 2022, when DeBoer secured the head coaching position at Washington, Grubb once again aligned with him, retaining his responsibilities as the offensive playcaller and directly mentoring Washington’s quarterbacks.
As the duo prepares for the next chapter at Alabama, their longstanding collaboration promises continuity and a shared vision on the Crimson Tide coaching staff.