Greg McElroy is trying to calm some of the fears surrounding Tuscaloosa following a surprising change to Kalen DeBoer’s staff.

With things starting to take shape for DeBoer at Alabama, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb had an about-face and opted to return to Seattle for an NFL coordinator job with the Seahawks. McElroy admitted on his “Always College Football” show that Grubb’s decision felt “devastating” to supporters of the Crimson Tide.

“While talking to a lot of folks that follow Alabama, that support Alabama this felt like a devastating blow. It did,” said McElroy. “And I will admit, I thought Ryan Grubb would have been a great candidate (to succeed Kalen DeBoer at Washington)… When he was not given the job at Washington, I thought Alabama was playing with house money.”

Fortunately, McElroy believes the Alabama offense will still be in good hands, and that’s a sense of relief for a team that maintains some of the best national championship odds entering the 12-team Playoff era. Fans can utilize SDS’s mobile sportsbook apps to stay up to date on the latest trends throughout the offseason.

“(Grubb) departing was a blow, no doubt about it. I do think though the Alabama coordinator job will be in good hands because there are already guys on Alabama’s coaching staff who know this offense like the back of their hand,” McElroy explained. “Most notably, Nick Sheridan who was the OC at Indiana when Kalen DeBoer left Indiana for Fresno State. So Nick Sheridan has now been with DeBoer for years and has called plays with success in the Power 5.”

JaMarcus Shephard, the wide receivers coach under DeBoer, is another option McElroy pointed to on the existing coaching staff capable of handling the role:

“Maybe it’s his turn to step up now and be given a play-calling role. So, wherever it goes, if it stays in-house, I think there are plenty of guys on staff for Alabama right now who won’t be much of a dropoff from Ryan Grubb,” claimed McElroy.

Here’s his full segment with the Alabama OC discussion beginning around the 13-minute mark: