Alabama’s new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, addressed the Red Elephant Club of boosters at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on National Signing Day. Grubb introduced himself as the team’s new offensive coordinator, a statement that held true throughout the week. However, the situation may change over the weekend and early next week. The Seattle Seahawks’ newly appointed head coach, Mike Macdonald, has expressed a strong interest in hiring Grubb as his offensive coordinator. Grubb, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies, has been residing in Seattle for the past two years. He joined the Crimson Tide staff when his former head coach, Kalen DeBoer, took over as the head coach at Alabama. While Grubb has been actively recruiting for Alabama, the possibility of him joining the Seahawks remains open. If he accepts the position, he would not have to relocate, as he is already based in Seattle.
The Seahawks had also considered UCLA’s head coach, Chip Kelly, for the offensive coordinator position. However, it appears that their interest in Grubb outweighed their pursuit of Kelly. Sources have revealed that Grubb’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, who is known for his exceptional work in the field, may have played a role in connecting Grubb to the Seattle opening. It is possible that Sexton is ensuring that Grubb secures a lucrative contract with Alabama. Alternatively, Grubb may indeed be the Seahawks’ top choice for the offensive coordinator role.
In recent years, college coaches have increasingly expressed a desire to transition to the NFL. The NFL offers a more exclusive and higher-paying environment with fewer teams and fewer challenges, especially in light of the Name, Image & Likeness and NCAA Transfer Portal developments. An offensive coordinator position in the NFL could potentially propel Grubb towards a head coaching job in either college or the NFL at a faster pace than an offensive coordinator role in college.
Currently, the only other candidate being considered for the position is Tanner Engstrand, the pass game coordinator for the Detroit Lions. However, Engstrand’s qualifications do not match those of Grubb. While Engstrand has had a successful season with the Lions, he lacks the experience and track record that Grubb possesses. Grubb has established himself as one of the most sought-after offensive coordinators in college football, with successful stints at Fresno State and Washington.
With Kelly’s move to Ohio State, UCLA may now be in search of a new head coach. One potential candidate is Pete Carroll, the former coach of the Seattle Seahawks, who achieved great success during his tenure at USC. However, Carroll’s age of 72 may be a limiting factor. Other options include former Stanford coach David Shaw, Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White, and former Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who previously served as a running backs coach for UCLA.
Kelly’s decision to leave UCLA for an assistant coaching job at Ohio State has surprised many. While Ohio State offers a better chance of winning the national title in 2024, UCLA is by no means a weak program. Under Kelly’s leadership, UCLA experienced three consecutive winning seasons after enduring four consecutive losing seasons. Despite this, Kelly’s disdain for recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal likely influenced his decision to pursue an NFL coordinator position, which has been his long-term goal.
At Ohio State, Kelly will have the opportunity to focus more on coaching, something he appears to desire. The familiarity between Kelly and Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, likely played a role in his decision. Day and Kelly have a history together, having worked together at New Hampshire and later with the San Francisco 49ers. While Kelly’s departure from UCLA entails a financial cost, as he owes the university a buyout, it is evident that his desire to navigate the challenges of being a college football head coach in the current landscape outweighed the financial implications.
UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, acknowledged the complexities of the college football head coach role in today’s world, emphasizing the need for a CEO-like figure who can handle various aspects of a successful program, including NIL, recruiting, donor relations, and player development. It appears that Kelly did not possess the qualities Jarmond sought in a head coach, leaving the possibility open for someone like Ryan Grubb to fill that role if he decides not to pursue the Seattle opportunity.
According to the Source outkick.com