First-year Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb spoke to reporters after the Crimson Tide’s spring practice. Grubb took over the role ahead of the 2025 season after spending the 2024 campaign as the OC for the Seattle Seahawks.
Here’s everything Grubb said to reporters during his media availability Wednesday.
On how much staying in Seattle affected his decision to join the Seahawks
"That was part of it. I think there's a lot of factors that went into that decision, but certainly not having to prove my family and things like that were part of it. Definitely wasn't the only factor."
On if staying in Seattle was a factor for not taking the job in 2023
"No it wasn't. That was really hard, I respect the heck out of coach Saban but that one was a little bit more of just the guys that had in the locker room at Washington. Mike Penix, the relationship I had with him, and Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Troy Fautanu-- those guys all went to the NFL. We knew we were poised for a really big season. I just felt like that would have been pretty hard for me to walk away from those guys."
On what made Alabama the right fit this time
"Third time's the charm, right? I think there's a lot of factors. Obviously I felt like there's a lot of things already in place here. Hats off to the staff, they did a lot of heavy lifting this last year just implementing a lot of things that are within the system offensively. So being able to come in here and get some things off the ground that guys have already seen, I felt like I could be an addition to, not necessarily like we have to totally uproot everything that's going on. Certainly, there's some things that I do that are different, just like everybody, but just felt like there's a lot of groundwork laid that we should have a good opportunity for success."
On impressions of last season's offense
"There's some really talented guys. I thought they did a really good job of using Jalen with his legs. I know that's not necessarily what Jalen wants to be known for, he wants to be a quarterback and he is very good one, but I thought they did a good job of utilizing talent, finding ways to be creative and getting the ball down the field. But I thought there was a lot of good players out there. I thought there's a lot of talent."
On his one season with the Seahawks and how it ended
"Obviously the ending was the toughest part. You know, I had a lot of relationships in that locker room, guys I still talk to today. Geno Smith is as high character guy you're going to meet and as good a quarterback as I've ever been around. So just experience to be with him and grow as a coach. And I thought that part was worth it in that sense, there was a lot of things that I felt like I got to be a part of in the NFL that really opened my eyes to some of the defensive structures and things like that. So I think that that was a huge plus."
On his impression with the QB room through two practices
"A lot of things. I think that they each, just like any quarterback, have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Ty has done a good job. I thought he had the biggest jump from day one to day two, just as far as being able to take in all the information, process quickly and move. Austin's done a really good job of showing command for a young player, and then Keelon is awesome, man. He's very unflappable. Even when things don't go right, and they invariably will for a freshman quarterback, I think he's done an awesome job just kind of staying the course and being very steady, and he can make a lot of plays."
On how Keelon Russell compares to other young QBs he's worked with
"One of the things I noticed, thinking about Jake Haener way back to Fresno State, he's with the Saints now-- Jake's got a really whippy, quick release. Once he made his decision, he was very decisive with the ball. See that with (Keelon) a lot. And then Keelon's vision reminds me of (Michael Penix) a little bit. He has good, wide vision with the field. He can see it even when he doesn't know exactly what's going on. So he's still working through all the processes, but he'll get there. He's a good player."
On how he'll oversee the offense with Nick Sheridan coaching QBs
“I always think it’s gotta start with the quarterback room. If I don’t have a relationship with the guys throwing the ball or in the huddle on Saturdays, I think that I’d be putting Alabama at a disadvantage. So, I always gotta be on the same page with those guys, in sync.
“Nick being there is obviously a huge advantage to me just because it gives me the flexibility to be in the rooms that I need to be in and talk to the people I gotta talk to. So, I think that part for me has been awesome already. That way, if another position group or a coach needs help, I can move myself into that room and try to utilize my skills with the offense somewhere else. But most of the time, it's always gonna be with the quarterbacks. I think that relationship is key.”
On how his relationship has developed with OL coach Chris Kapilovic
“Yeah, it’s been great. Kap does a great job. I think sometimes when guys are — they don’t know how to take that when an OC has at least some background in offensive line, they’re gonna be infringing on them. But I think Kap does a great job of just being open and thinking about the things that can help the unit and my perspective on the offense that can potentially help him out. So, it’s been great.”
On the OL unit and piecing it together with injuries
“Yeah, we got a couple guys out, for sure, which is just more reps and opportunity for young guys. Guys like Jackson Lloyd — guys like that getting in there and taking reps, I think is really important. So, we’re looking at it more from a standpoint that all of these guys that need to be developed are absolutely going to have an opportunity, and really, realistically, that’s what spring ball is for.”
On first impressions of Alabama's run-game and vision for it
“Well, right now, we’ve only had two practices with no pads. So, it’s a little tough to asses that. But, I think just a commitment to that in general, and the mentality at Alabama I think it bodes well for that. I think guys want to be physical, technical. So, for us, we’re pretty wide as far as the type of runs that we run, just like we always have been. You’re gonna see inside, outside zone, counter, power, pin-pull, fly sweep, all the stuff we’ve always done. So, I don’t think anything from that standpoint will change. But I think the guys know that to win the late games and the playoffs and things like that, there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you gotta be able to run the football.”
On freshman running back AK Dear
“AK, he’s still learning. That’s about it.”
On his style as a play-caller
“Aggresive. We’re gonna be aggressive. We want guys to — I think that when the players, when it works the best, the understanding that the players have that we gotta 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.”
On if working with DeBoer, JaMarcus Shephard and Nick Sheridan again is like riding a bike
"Yeah, for sure. The first time I heard Shep being loud down the hall I just kind of had a big smile on my face. I think that the part that gets underestimated a little bit in situations like that is, you have relationships and you have to go through, bumps, right? Tough things, whether it's on or off the field. I think when you put the investment and the time into relationships like that, then when you've got to figure out how to throw the ball against cover 3, that part seems pretty easy. I think just familiarity and the ease of transition through some of the tough moments makes it a lot easier."
On Ty Simpson
"Ty, like I said, I think he's really improving. One thing I like and appreciate about Ty already that you can tell is he's very serious about wanting to succeed. He's had the mindset that he's been ready, you know, and he's been kind of waiting in the wings so to speak. I think for me it's just, I know he's committed to the process. I think that's what makes great quarterbacks. As long as he understands it's gonna take a little bit, he's got to be committed to those steps, he's gonna be great."
On where WR Germie Bernard has grown
"Nothing, that guy. I knew you were right there. Germ is a guy that, I think it was really cool seeing him come in to Washington. We obviously had some really good receivers in that room. Germ always prepared with a lot of humility. He was gonna be ready to play the game no matter what his role was, and he's gonna maximize his opportunities. So now, seeing him in a little bit different light where he's the guy at the front of the room and everybody's looking to him is really cool. Just a classy guy, always has been. He's got the right mindset."
On QB Austin Mack
"I've always believed in Austin. He's got a big upside. I thought he'd really done a good job working on his technique, throwing motion, things like that. I can tell he's been working hard on it the last year. He's a very bright kid, I know that he can process the offense. He came into our system really, really young, a 17-year-old freshman. Kind of the thought there was, when we got Austin at Washington, was that he would have six months with Mike Penix and kind of see how it's supposed to be done. I certainly think he's gravitated to that. It looks like he's matured a lot and I'm excited to be with him."
On freshman OL Michael Carroll
"He's got a long ways to go, got a lot ways to go. He's a great kid. A lot of these guys, It's tough, you ask me about AK and Michael. I think they're gonna be great players, it's just so much for those guys right now. They're drinking out of a fire hose. But they'll get there. I thought Michael was one guy, I will say this, that I thought during Coach Ballou's fourth quarter program, was a guy that continued to climb and accept the challenge of being out here and working hard. I hope that that translates to some good football this spring."
On Ryan Williams and the rest of the wide receiver room
"That is a talented room, and we're excited. For Ryan, I think for some of the contested catches, he can separate so well already, but just you can already see the guy sitting in the front row at every meeting, wants to be -- he's just a sponge. He wants to get better, he's asking questions. I think that he will. The versatility on how you can use Ryan inside and outside is something that makes him a unique player."
