‘He’ll get in your face': What Ryan Grubb brings to Alabama football’s staff

Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer has a reputation for a laid-back personality, at least compared to his predecessor, Nick Saban, perhaps the least relaxed man in the state during his Crimson Tide tenure. His new offensive coordinator doesn’t share the laid-back trait, according to UA players.

After center Parker Brailsford described Ryan Grubb as “mean” but emphasized that “it’s a good thing,” tight end Josh Cuevas was asked about the man he previously played for at Washington on Tuesday.

“I think he’s solid,” Cuevas said. “I’d just say he’s solid. Like, he knows what the standard is and whenever the standard needs to be implemented and he sees that you have the potential and you’re not working up to that potential, then he’ll get in your face. But it’s for a purpose, like he’s gonna get in your face for a reason.”

Grubb had initially followed DeBoer from Washington to Tuscaloosa before an opportunity arose with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. The offensive coordinator reversed course and tried the pro game but was fired after one season.

He quickly joined DeBoer at Alabama, taking over for Nick Sheridan as the Tide’s primary offensive coordinator and play-caller. Cuevas played under DeBoer and Grubb at UW in 2023, after beginning his college career at Cal Poly.

Tuesday in Tuscaloosa, the redshirt senior was asked if there was Grubb got in his face that was particularly memorable.

“Many,” Cuevas said. “It was probably my first year at Washington, just kind of getting used to the offense and getting aggressive and just working up to his standard on the line for sure. But he’s gotten in my face a few times, but I’m better for it.”

DeBoer went 9-4 in his first season at Alabama. The Crimson Tide had a chance to make the College Football Playoff, but a late-season loss to Oklahoma, coupled with defeats at Vanderbilt and Tennessee, doomed UA to a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance, ending with a loss to Michigan.

Moments of the season had even Alabama alums questioning the team’s culture, but Cuevas said DeBoer has done a solid job building that through one year.

“I think he does a great job setting a standard and kind of coming in and implementing that,” Cuevas said. “And giving guys kind of leeway to adjust to a new system. But he does team-building stuff all the time.

“He’s having a leadership council, in case you’re not comfortable enough coming up to the head coach, go to some of the other guys who are comfortable enough going up to the head coach, and giving them your feedback. And he takes that, I mean he takes that great. He tries his best, working with his staff, to kind of give the players a comfortable experience in this new system.”

Alabama will continue spring practice through April 12, when the Crimson Tide is scheduled to play the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day will not be televised this season, but admission will be free at the stadium.