Report: Nick Saban Meeting with Washington Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb

The Crimson Tide's search for a new offensive coordinator has a new name in the mix.

The search for a new offensive coordinator appears to be picking up. 

According to a report, Nick Saban is meeting with Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb about the same position with Alabama football.

The report by 247Sports did not indicate when the meeting was set to occur. 

This past season, Washington averaged 369.8 passing yards, and 146.0 rushing yards per game. 

The 6,705 total yards averaged out to 515.8. It ranked first in the nation in passing yards, and second in total yards with Indiana transfer Michael Penix Jr. the starting quarterback.

The Huskies also led the FBS in first downs (27.2 per game), third down conversions (56.83 percent), and tackles for loss allowed (31). They were second in sacks allowed (7), seventh in scoring (39.7 points per game), and 10th in yards per play (6.88).

It was Grubb's first season with the Huskies. The school subsequently rewarded him with a raise up to $2 million a season. 

When Kalen DeBoer was named Washington's new head football coach, the first staff member he announced was Grubb as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Grubb was a member of DeBoer's staff at Fresno State the previous two seasons, serving as associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

In 2021, he helped lead Fresno State to a 9-3 overall record. As of the end of the regular season, the Bulldogs ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference in total offense (464.8 yards per game) and second in scoring offense (33.4 points per game) and passing offense (330.1 yards per game). 

In 2020, Fresno State also led the conference with 479.3 yards of total offense per game.

“He’s just really smart, and you mix that with a phenomenal work ethic, and you get a guy that’s organized, that the players believe in, because they see him caring about them as a person and a football player," DeBoer said about him last year. "It’s cool, seeing the trust they’re gaining in him.”

Other prominent names associated with the Alabama opening are Joe Brady and Jeff Lebby. 

Alabama fans are already familiar with Brady from when he was the passing game coordinator and receivers coach at LSU in 2019, when the Tigers ran the table. He was hired away to be the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers under former head coach Matt Rhule, but he couldn't recreate the same magic.

Brady was the quarterback coach for the Bills this past season.

Saban usually likes his coordinators to have NFL experience, and the job might appeal to Brady as it'll give him more play-calling experience. However, there are reports that some NFL teams, including the New York Jets, are interested in him as well. Would he prefer the college game or the NFL? Another plus is that he's only 33 years old.

Oklahoma fans were disappointed in the first year of the Brent Venables era, which ended with a 6-7 record, and put part of the blame on the offensive coordinator even though the Sooners ranked 474 yards per game (No. 13 in the nation), 219.4 rushing yards (No. 10), 254.6 passing (No. 42) and 32.8 points (tied for No. 32).

Lebby has coached under both Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss (2020-21) and Josh Heupel at UCF (2018-19), after developing in Baylor’s system from (2008-16). The 39-year-old is Art Briles' son-in-law.

He has a strong reputation in recruiting. However, one potential drawback is his contract, Lebby has two two years remaining on his deal that will earn him $1.9 million in 2023.

See Also

Initial Hot Board for Alabama Defensive Coordinator

Alabama Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien Hired by New England Patriots

Initial Hot Board for Alabama Offensive Coordinator