Alabama’s top 5 defensive coordinators as targets to replace Ryan Grubb

Alabama’s offensive coordinator has left the team after only one game under new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s leadership.

Ryan Grubb, who joined DeBoer at UA after Nick Saban’s retirement, now works for the Seattle Seahawks, according to several reports.

The relocation opens up another position on the Tide’s staff. As DeBoer attempts to fill the position, here are some individuals who would be a good fit.

Kirby Moore

The familiarity is present. Moore worked with DeBoer at Fresno State and took over as offensive coordinator after DeBoer went for Washington.

The in-conference experience is also clear. Moore took over as Missouri’s playcaller and offensive coordinator, and he helped the Tigers improve dramatically last year.

Moore would have greater recruiting options at Alabama, at least in terms of star power. He’s also regarded as a promising future head coach, and a successful stay with the Crimson Tide would boost his resume.

If DeBoer wants to use the available coach post for anything else, or if he just wants to promote and hire a new position coach, Shephard may be an option. Alabama’s wide receivers coach previously worked with DeBoer at Washington for two years.

Shephard’s wideouts were exceptional in 2023. Rome Adunze led the team in receiving with 1,640 yards, and the Husky passing attack was among the best in the nation.

Shephard has never been the offensive coordinator. However, he has spent enough time with DeBoer to grasp the system, and if DeBoer wants to keep the job in-house, Shephard would be an excellent choice.

Sheridan came over with DeBoer from Washington and would make sense as another internal candidate. He is now the Crimson Tide’s tight ends coach.

He was with DeBoer before the Huskies. Sheridan was the tight ends coach at Indiana under DeBoer, after previously serving as the Hoosier quarterback coach.

He also has some job experience. When DeBoer left to become head coach at Fresno State, Sheridan was elevated and served as Indiana’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.

Huff, another former Washington coach, may think outside the box while still promoting from within.

He has been with the Huskies well before DeBoer’s tenure. However, when his boss accepted the job in Tuscaloosa, he swiftly jumped on board.

Huff also has a similar coaching background to Grubb, who was an offensive line coach before becoming an offensive coordinator. That makes him a reasonable choice if DeBoer wants to keep the search short and sweet.

Kalen DeBoer

DeBoer is an offensive coach. Alabama’s system is his, and the head coach has the ability to call his own plays.

In that case, the offensive coordinator position would most likely be held by someone else. An internal candidate, such as Shephard, Sheridan, or Huff, would be the best fit.

However, it makes sense for DeBoer to retain more power. After all, he will bear the brunt of the responsibility as Nick Saban’s replacement if the Crimson Tide fail in 2024.