Ryan Grubb has brought a different personality to Alabama football, especially compared to Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide’s new offensive coordinator has delivered a fiery presence to the practice field so far, as he works to reinvigorate the UA offense.

Alabama offensive guard Jaeden Roberts said he’s enjoyed working with Grubb, who took over as primary OC and playcaller after a year with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

“I love his intensity,” Robert said Wednesday in Tuscaloosa. “I love him as a coach. I mean, he’s just that guy to be out there, the guy that we need to push the offense and make us better.”

Roberts, entering his fifth season with the Crimson Tide, was asked to compare a Grubb butt-chewing with those from his former coach, Nick Saban. The man who won six national championships at Alabama was also known for his fire, and could be spotted, usually multiple times per season, yelling at players during games.

“A little similar,” Robert said. “He gets into his mode, you know, but I think that’s every coach. But him and Nick Saban, it’s a little different, but the energy is still there.”

Saban’s penchant for intense correction was legendary throughout his tenure. One of the final recipients of a Saban butt-chewing, former Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold, described how he dealt with them.

“You just have to not hear how he’s saying it, but you have to hear what he’s saying,” Arnold said during the 2023 season, after Saban got in his face during a win over Mississippi State. “It’s another thing when you look at it as far as never knowing when the camera’s on you and being coachable. And I feel like the relationship that I have with him, he knows that I can take coaching like that, and it’s hard coaching. And when you choose to come here, you never know when he could chew you out. Like people always say, you should be worried when he’s not saying something.”

Grubb had initially followed DeBoer from Washington, where the two had helped lead the Huskies to a national championship game appearance. However, when the NFL opportunity arose, he opted to stay in Seattle.

He was fired by the Seahawks following the 2024 season. Grubb then returned to work with his old friend, after the Alabama offense battled consistency issues during DeBoer’s first year on the job.

Grubb was an offensive line coach early in his career. Roberts said that background has shown up throughout spring practice.

“He was definitely an offensive line guy,” Roberts said. “Even for his small height, definitely an offensive line guy. You can see that sometimes during practice, he gets on to us. But he only does that because he knows how capable we can be.”

Alabama will continue spring practice through April 12, when it will hold an open session for A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day will not be scrimmage or game this year, and won’t be on television, though admission remains free at the stadium.