Something big is brewing in the air of Tuscaloosa. You can feel it in the intensity of practice, and you can hear it in the chatter around town—Alabama football is undergoing a serious transformation. Spring practice is here, and so is the buzz. New head coach Kalen DeBoer is putting his stamp on this program in Year Two, and the most noticeable shift? A complete offensive revamp. Gone is the Jalen Milroe-led attack that had moments of brilliance but fell short when it mattered most. In its place is a retooled offense powered by new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and the early results are making heads turn. So, how did Alabama get here?

Kalen DeBoer isn’t new to building explosive offenses. His coaching résumé goes all the way back to 1997 at Sioux Falls as a receivers coach, and he’s had successful stints as an OC at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Indiana. When he took over Alabama in 2024, many wondered how his offensive mind would translate in the SEC pressure cooker. Enter Ryan Grubb—his longtime right-hand man.

Now, with Grubb calling the plays, Alabama’s offense is finally starting to look like the machine fans have been waiting for. DeBoer recently praised the offensive line’s growth during Alabama’s first spring scrimmage. “I thought today was actually probably one of their better days. It was the best day and the film will show that when I look more closely, but they were more consistent. Run game, pass game, we created some seams at times. I think they were the most consistent,” he said.

That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a big shift from last year, where consistency was exactly what Alabama’s offense lacked.

Last season, the Tide started hot—averaging 44.6 points per game in their first five outings, including an explosive 547-yard display against Georgia. But then? The wheels fell off. Against Oklahoma, they managed just 234 yards on 4.1 yards per play. They struggled against Tennessee and sputtered again versus Michigan, ending the year on a sour note. Much of the blame landed on former offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, who just couldn’t find a rhythm.

Now, Sheridan’s been reassigned as quarterbacks coach, while Grubb is running the show. And so far? It’s looking like the right call.

Grubb’s style is clear and confident. When asked about his offensive philosophy, he didn’t mince words. “Aggressive,” he said. “We’re going to be aggressive. I think that when the players, when it works the best, the understanding that the players have that we got to be responsible with the football, not go backwards, make sure we’re always matriculating the ball down the field, but then be ready for an opportunity to take the shot.”

That kind of mentality is what Alabama’s been missing. It’s not just about power football anymore—it’s about balance, control, and hitting the gas when the moment strikes.

The quarterback battle is still heating up with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell all in the mix. But no matter who wins that QB1 job, Grubb’s fingerprints will be all over this offense. And the funny thing is, Alabama almost didn’t land him.

Alabama’s lucky break with Ryan Grubb

Alabama actually tried to hire Ryan Grubb twice before. The first time was before the 2023 season under Nick Saban, and the second came shortly after DeBoer’s own hire. Both times, Grubb declined. When asked why, he explained, “I think there was a lot of factors that went into that decision, but certainly, not having to uproot my family and things like that were part of it, but definitely wasn’t the only factor.”

But the third time? It clicked.

Grubb had just finished a season as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator—his first NFL gig—which didn’t go as planned. After one year, he was out. That opened the door for a reunion with DeBoer, someone he’d spent 12 years coaching alongside across multiple programs—Sioux Falls, Eastern Illinois, Fresno State, and Washington.

This time, the timing was right—and Alabama struck gold.

DeBoer and Grubb aren’t just coach-and-coordinator. They’re football soulmates, and the chemistry is already showing. With stars like Geno VanDeMark, Graham Roten, and Jamison Travis anchoring the O-line, Grubb’s aggressive and technical philosophy is already taking root. “We want to be physical and technical,” Grubb said. “We know that to win the late games and the playoffs and things like that, there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you gotta be able to run the football.” That’s the blueprint. And it’s working.

For context: Alabama hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Brian Robinson Jr. in 2021. That was also the last time they made it to the National Championship. Grubb’s arrival is more than just a change of scheme—it’s a cultural reset.

Financially? Grubb’s contract is a steal. At $1 million per year through February 2027, Alabama is getting a proven offensive genius for far less than what NFL coordinators typically command. But that value won’t last long if the results start stacking up. If Bama doesn’t lock him in long-term, someone else surely will.

Grubb is to DeBoer what Kirby Smart once was to Saban—a right-hand man with the vision and brains to build something sustainable and dominant. In Tuscaloosa, that kind of synergy could bring championships.