Ex-Alabama QB Issues Blunt Warning to Ryan Grubb Before 2025 Season
After just one season as the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator in 2024, Nick Sheridan was demoted on paper to the team's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In his place, Alabama brought in Ryan Grubb, who was the Seattle Seahawks' OC last year, but has a long-standing relationship with Bama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
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Grubb was part of the coaching staff with DeBoer during their shared tenures at Washington, Fresno State, Eastern Michigan and Sioux Falls, which goes back to 2007.
College football analysts believe Alabama's offense will take a step forward in 2025, and some might conclude that Grubb is a better coordinator than Sheridan. However, former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron disagreed with such a stance while speaking with Chris Stewart and Trent Richardson on "The Dynasty."
"Whenever you're the OC at Alabama," McCarron began. "You're going to catch hell, regardless. If you don't put up 35 to 50 points every game, it is what it is. ... I was with multiple OCs during my career at Alabama. It comes with the territory."
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Last season, Alabama fell short of the program's high expectations in both its passing and rushing offense. The Crimson Tide ranked 56th in passing offense (236.4 yards per game) and 47th in rushing offense (173.8 ypg).
Alabama scored 34.5 points per game, 21st in college football. While that's certainly a very good result, it's not quite good enough for a college football powerhouse that wants to be competing for national championships annually.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer (left), offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb (right)© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"I think the comfort level between Kalen (DeBoer) and Ryan Grubb probably settles him down as the head coach of this team. Just knowing what Ryan Grubb likes in certain situations."
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Retaining Sheridan wasn't a given after Grubb was brought in. It only came with a later announcement that Sheridan would stay with the coaching staff and focus on quarterbacks.
Sheridan was linked with DeBoer during their stints at the University of Indiana in 2019 when the former was the tight ends coach and the latter was the Hoosiers' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
McCarron makes it clear, even with all these relationships in play, results matter in Tuscaloosa. So, DeBoer, Grubb, Sheridan and the rest of the Crimson Tide staff must deliver offensively.
In 2024, Alabama failed to qualify for the College Football Playoff and missing out on it again this season could put not just the coordinators on the heat seat, but DeBoer as well.
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Related: Ryan Williams Reveals Conversation With Jeremiah Smith During College Football 26 Cover Shoot
Related: Kirby Smart, Georgia Reportedly Made a Move To Steal 5-Star WR Away From Alabama
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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