Alabama OC Ryan Grubb listed as candidate for head coaching vacancy
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The Alabama Crimson Tide have a massive game on tap against the Auburn Tigers this weekend. If they win, they’ll be headed to the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff. If they lose, heads could roll. Either way, there’s a chance offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb isn’t back in Tuscaloosa next season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Grubb is one of the top early candidates to become the next head coach at Cal. Grubb was second on ESPN’s list of 5 candidates, behind Oregon defensive coordinator — and former Golden Bear defensive lineman — Tosh Lupoi.
Here’s Rittenberg’s analysis on Grubb’s potential candidacy:
His next stop likely will take him to a head coaching role. The only question is, where? Grubb has been alongside Kalen DeBoer at several spots, including Washington, where he served as offensive coordinator in 2023 when the Huskies reached the national title game. He then spent 2024 as Seattle Seahawks OC before rejoining DeBoer in Alabama. Grubb, 49, also worked with DeBoer for part of a five-year run at Fresno State. He’s familiar with the area and would bring an exciting and innovative offense to Berkeley.
Grubb, 49, was the offensive coordinator at Washington when the Huskies faced Michigan in the national championship game. He helped get Michael Penix Jr. drafted No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and has Ty Simpson in the running for the Heisman Trophy this season.
The chance to work with talented rising freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele — if he doesn’t enter the transfer portal — could also entice Grubb to return to the West Coast.
