Kalen DeBoer’s first month filling Saban’s shoes was a trial by fire. He got the full “Roll Tide” welcome, with fans and players eager to embrace him. But then, the transfer portal exodus hit, and doubts crept in. Could he live up to the 18-time national championship legacy? It was like everyone judged the book by its cover before even reading a chapter. DeBoer faced constant comparisons to Saban and relentless scrutiny, especially after Alabama’s four-loss season. He couldn’t catch a break. But now, things are finally looking up—he’s got his trusted offensive staff back by his side, ready to steady the ship.

We all remember how Ryan Grubb was supposed to follow DeBoer to Bama. He even started hiring for the team, but then—bam!—he left for the NFL’s Seahawks. That twist threw Alabama into turmoil, and they finished 9-4 last season. But let’s be real—it wasn’t all on DeBoer. As Josh Pate pointed out, the way Ryan Grubb’s situation unfolded reminded everyone how tough DeBoer’s first month really was. “So the reality, like the eight ball he found himself behind, was part one, the way that the portal only went one way, because of when he got the job, he couldn’t take any guys out of the portal, but they could leave for thirty days.” His hands were tied.

That’s the straight-up truth. With NIL and the transfer portal completely reshaping college football, Kalen DeBoer had to hold things together while players were slipping out the door. Losing key talents like Caleb Downs was a gut punch, but DeBoer didn’t flinch. He went out and secured fresh talent, including running back Dre’lyn Washington. But all anyone seems to notice is the inconsistency, ignoring the reality of juggling 15-20 transfers at a time. It’s not as simple as it looks, no matter what the critics say.

Then comes the second twist Josh Pate highlighted—the unexpected Grubb debacle. Alabama’s offense wasn’t even struggling before his arrival. Under offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, the Crimson Tide racked up 422.8 yards per game, ranked 7th nationally and 4th in the SEC for rushing with 182.7 yards per game, and scored an average of 35.5 points per game—third-best in the SEC and 22nd in the nation.

But then? Ryan Grubb bailed on DeBoer for Seattle. Talk about a gut punch. DeBoer had taken Grubb from the Huskies as his OC, only to watch him ditch Alabama in a matter of weeks. Even Pate couldn’t ignore the irony, saying, “It’s so ironic that you’re getting that same guy back.” But now, with some stability returning, maybe—just maybe—things are finally falling into place for Alabama.

Ryan Grubb and Kalen DeBoer relieving their old legacy

Well, Kalen DeBoer was in a tough spot for a while, when Ryan Grubb left to face the storm on his own. But now, with Ryan Grubb back in the fold at Alabama, everything’s falling into place. Even Kalen DeBoer is feeling content with his old friend’s return by his side. “Great friend of mine. I think the world of him as a football coach and obviously as a person too. I know he is working through his process just after what last season brought. Just kind of see what he does there. Here for him whenever he needs me, and that’s always going to be the case,” he said.

Moreover, their history runs deep, starting in 2007 when DeBoer hired Grubb as the run game coordinator and special teams coach at Sioux Falls. Since then, their careers have consistently intertwined, with both coaches serving on the same staff at Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Washington. Wherever DeBoer went, Grubb followed, and their partnership flourished, building a strong foundation of trust and success. It comes as no surprise that when DeBoer landed the head coach position at Fresno State, Grubb was one of the first people he reached out to.

And let’s not forget that Grubb’s track record as an offensive coordinator speaks for itself, with his teams consistently racking up over 400 yards per game throughout his nine-season career. His 2022 Washington team, in particular, stood out, averaging an impressive 515 yards per game. With Grubb now in Bama, expectations are sky-high, but given his impressive track record, it’s hard to bet against him. DeBoer knows Bama’s in good hands, and together, they’re ready to make waves once again.