Alabama football has someone new calling the plays this season: Ryan Grubb. So, what does that mean for the future of the running game?

Could joyless murderball return?

We’ll see.

Grubb, speaking to reporters in Tuscaloosa for the first time Wednesday, was asked to share his thoughts on the running game and his vision for it.

“Right now we’ve only had two practices with no pads, so a little tough to assess that,” Grubb said. “I think just a commitment to that in general and a mentality here at Alabama, I think bodes well for that. Guys want to be physical type football players. For us, we’re pretty wide as far as the type of runs we run just like we always have been. You’re going to see inside, outside zone. Power. Pin pull. Fly sweep. All the stuff we’ve always done. I don’t think any of the stuff from that standpoint will change. But I think the guys know to win the late games and the playoffs and things like that, there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you’ve got to be able to run the football.”

No matter the coaching stop, Grubb has historically turned to the pass more than the run as a play caller. That was the case with the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Huskies and Fresno State Bulldogs. From 2020 on, none of his teams have rushed more times than they have passed.

The greatest delta was in 2022 at Washington with 44.2 pass attempts per game compared to 30.8 rushing attempts per game.

It’s possible, and perhaps even likely, that the trend continues of passing more than rushing in 2025 with Alabama. The wide receiver room could be the best on the team with Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard returning as starters while adding Miami transfer Isaiah Horton while also moving Jaylen Mbakwe to receiver. Rico Scott and Cole Adams also bring intrigue as receivers back for another season.

At running back, Justice Haynes left but Jam Miller and Richard Young, Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley all returned. Alabama also added Dre Washington from Louisiana via the transfer portal.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.