Ryan Grubb Could Return but Does it Really Matter?
Published January 28, 2025 - 4:28PM CST
On January 6, 2025, the Seattle Seahawks fired Ryan Grubb as their offensive coordinator. This move excited a lot of Alabama fans who wondered aloud if Grubb might return to the same position he initially held on Kalen DeBoer’s staff this time last year.
Recall that Grubb made the original trek to Tuscaloosa with Deboer, who is the polar opposite of Nick Saban when it comes to retaining assistant coaches. After the transfer portal closed following Saban’s departure, Grubb suspiciously left Alabama for the same job with the Seattle Seahawks. Was that move a premeditated favor to help DeBoer retain recruits and Saban’s roster? We may never know for sure, but a lot of Alabama fans lamented the loss and wondered what-if for the offense at various times during the 2024 season.
Following a season that saw the Seahawks struggle to run the ball (28th out of 32 teams) consistently, Grubb was let go. Looking on the bright side, the Seahawks finished 10-7 in a solid division, ahead of the Arizona Cardinals (8-9) and San Francisco 49ers (6-7). They had the same record as the division champion Los Angeles Rams, who won the division by virtue of the tie-breaker. Like Alabama, the Seahawks were the first team out of the playoffs in the NFC, although expectations weren’t nearly as high in Seattle.
Given their offense was led by a middle-of-the-pack quarterback (Geno Smith) in a league that demands elite QB play, I wouldn’t say the Seahawks had a bad season by any stretch of the imagination. The NFL is an extremely demanding and short-sighted league, and the knock many had on Grubb was a lack of commitment to the run game. Despite finishing 28th in rushing, the Seahawks were 17th in rushing efficiency (4.2 yards per carry) and 18th in points per game (22.1). I wouldn’t call Grubb a bad hire as much as I would call it a bad fit for defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald, who admitted as much after letting Grubb go. Many defensive-minded head coaches like to establish the running game, and the Seahawks never fully committed to a run-first attack under Grubb.
Now that Grubb is essentially a free agent, many wonder why he hasn’t taken the OC job. Some fans speculate that he isn’t interested. I think the reality is that Alabama has an OC, Nick Sheridan, who probably gets more blame than is warranted after one season in Alabama. After the Georgia game, he was viewed by many as a terrific upgrade over past Alabama play-callers. However, by the end of the Tennessee game, that honeymoon had faded and many fans predictably went back to blaming their OC for all of the offense’s struggles.
I believe DeBoer is perfectly content with Sheridan, and he isn’t looking to make a change. It is true that Grubb was DeBoer’s first choice as OC, but Sheridan filled in admirably for Grubb after being promoted to OC, and I believe DeBoer is satisfied with how the offense played last year. The reality is the offense ran hot and cold with the play of Jalen Milroe, and we have got to stop blaming the coaches every chance we get. Just look at how inconsistent Steve Sarkisian’s Texas offense finished with the play of Quinn Ewers. As any great coach will admit, players win games.
Speaking at the Senior Bowl today, DeBoer told the media that he is “here for [Grubb] whenever he needs me.” This re-sparked some buzz that Grubb might return to Alabama, but I believe the impact of this possibility is being overvalued. Like any coach who is unexpectedly laid off, Grubb is weighing his options. It’s always possible that he decides to return to Tuscaloosa in a reduced role, but I seriously doubt he will replace Sheridan. Would Grubb’s return help Alabama? It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but it is far too soon to evaluate this staff based on one season of playing with an inherited roster. Let’s have them put their stamp on it and bring in their guys before passing full judgment. Lest we forget, Sheridan had a big role in recruiting the number one player in the nation, QB Keelon Russell, to Alabama.
Remember, players win games.
