Washington offensive coordinator turns down Alabama job, reports say
University of Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb decided to remain with the Huskies after interviewing for the Alabama offensive coordinator job, according to reports Tuesday.
ESPN reported Grubb was the “top target” for Alabama, while The Athletic and The Seattle Times reported Grubb was offered the position.
Grubb, who joined Washington in 2022 after five seasons at Fresno State, met with Alabama early this week. He is the first known candidate to interview after Bill O’Brien left last week to become the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
Grubb, 47, earned two pay raises from Washington late last year. The second bumped his salary to $2 million, placing him among the highest-paid assistants in college football. That came after Grubb was pursued, according to the Houston Chronicle, for Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator job before the Aggies hired Bobby Petrino.
O’Brien made $1.1 million as Alabama’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons. The Athletic reported Tuesday that Grubb did not receive another pay raise from Washington when he turned down Alabama.
Washington had one of the nation’s most improved offenses during Grubb’s first season in 2022. After finishing among the worst teams in the country in 2021, it ranked second among FBS teams this past season in averaging 515.8 yards per game, behind only Tennessee. Its 39.7 points per game ranked seventh, behind teams including Alabama at 41.1 points per game.
Washington’s quarterback during the 2022 season was Indiana transfer Michael Penix Jr., who led the nation in passing yards per game (357.0) while finishing eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
As a team, the Huskies led the nation in passing yards per game (369.8) and third-down conversion rate (56.8 percent), while committing only 11 turnovers — tied for ninth-fewest among FBS teams. They ranked 69th in rushing yards per game (146.0).
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.