Is Nick Saban ready to break the new OC?

The pace has picked up Alabama football find a new offensive coordinator. Now that the NCAA recruiting season is dead, Nick Saban has an open schedule to hire new coaches.

On Sunday, the attention of Crimson Tide fans had shifted away from the game on Nick Saban possibly touting Todd Grantham for the open DC role. New names started being mentioned as Tide’s next OC and at the same time the chance of some fan favorites to OC seemed to be fading. There isn’t much talk among Alabama football insiders anymore about Jeff Lebby or Kliff Kingsbury joining the Crimson Tide.

There is more discussion about what some might call a smaller group of potential OC candidates. Washington’s OC and QB coach Ryan Grubb has been the most talked about Monday. Apparently both Nick Saban and Grubb have serious interest.

Grubb has a respectable resume dating back to his 2022 season with the Washington Huskies and his five seasons at Fresno State, including the last three as offensive coordinator. Otherwise, his resume is a bit light by Alabama Football standards.

Washington’s offense last season makes Grubb a solid potential salary. The Huskies had the top passing offense in the FBS, averaging nearly 370 passing yards per game. Washington was second in Total Offense with over 515 yards per game. Admittedly, these impressive stats weren’t achieved against any top defense. The highest-rated defense Washington faced last season was No. 26 Oregon State. The Huskies gained 398 yards against the Beavers.

Remove any doubt that Grubb’s resume is being built on unimpressive coaching stints, and he could be the home run for the Crimson Tide.

In the West, some call Grubb a coaching wizard. Washington forwards love him. Praising his coach, Rome Odunze said:

Grubb is very right about what he wants. He is very strict about details. He’s just so hungry, he’s driven, and so consistent it’s almost crazy. Grubb has been the same guy since I met him and always wants to get better and he’s still not satisfied. I’m just happy to be a part of his offense.

Alabama Football Assistant Coach Bank

If Grubb becomes the guy Nick Saban wants, that could be a problem. Washington doesn’t want to lose Grubb. In November, Grubb got a raise at $1.45 million and grow to $1.67 million over three seasons. A month later, the Huskies picked him up again, rewarding Grubb with a $2 million raise in each of the next three seasons.

What should Alabama Football pay to get Grubb? Something north of $2 million. He would become Nick Saban’s highest-paid assistant of all time. Is there a number that theoretically breaks the Alabama Football Bank? The tidal limit can be anything.

UPDATE: Fri 247 Sports, Grubb meets Alabama

On the salary question, it might be worth remembering that while Seattle is a great city, the cost of living is much higher than in Tuscaloosa.