Tuscaloosa doesn’t feel the same anymore. With Nick Saban gone, Alabama just endured one of its worst seasons in over a decade—missing the playoffs, suffering unexpected losses, and struggling to find its footing. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is already under pressure, but there’s a potential lifeline: Ryan Grubb is back. The offensive coordinator, who once thrived alongside DeBoer, has returned to bring stability and identity to a program in need of direction.
Last season, without Grubb, Alabama’s offense lacked consistency. One week, they ran wild over LSU with nearly 300 rushing yards and six touchdowns. A few weeks later, against Tennessee, they abandoned the ground game and aired it out 49 times with Jalen Milroe. The unpredictability wasn’t a strength—it was confusion. As SEC analyst Chris Marler put it, “Bama’s offense last year didn’t really know their own identity from week to week—you saw that.”
Now, Grubb returns after a short and unsuccessful stint as Seattle’s offensive coordinator in the NFL. Analysts believe he brings experience, composure, and a clear understanding of DeBoer’s system—something the team lacked under Nick Sheridan. The DeBoer-Grubb duo has a proven track record, having turned Fresno State into an offensive powerhouse before leading Washington to a dramatic turnaround, transforming a 4-8 team into a title contender while developing Michael Penix Jr. into an NFL-ready quarterback.
However, Alabama’s road to redemption won’t be easy. The 2025 season kicks off with a tough road game against Florida State, a matchup that could set the tone for the year. A loss there would mean Alabama likely needs to beat Georgia in Athens just a few weeks later, or the season could spiral out of control. The 2024 campaign exposed serious flaws, including embarrassing losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and a mediocre Oklahoma squad.
Marler was blunt in his prediction: “Bama will lose their first two games. Then win the next nine. And then lose to Auburn to not make the playoff. That’s the Kalen DeBoer way.”
The pressure is mounting. If DeBoer and Grubb can rekindle their offensive magic, Alabama might return to dominance. But if they stumble early, the calls for change in Tuscaloosa will only grow louder.