Prior to Alabama’s hiring of Tommy Rees, Nick Saban brought in Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to interview for the open play-calling position on his staff.
Grubb had reportedly even been offered the job following the interview and was the favorite to become the Crimson Tide’s next offensive coordinator until he ultimately declined the offer in order to remain with the Huskies. It isn’t often that someone turns down an offer from Saban but Grubb had a different outlook on things and opted to remain loyal to his players.
“I think it would have been pretty hard for me to walk away from these guys after just one year,” Grubb said according to The Seattle Times.
In Grubb’s first season as Washington’s offensive coordinator he led the unit to its most successful season in school history as UW ranked first nationally in passing yards (369.8 yards per game), first downs (27.2 per game), third down conversions (56.83%), completion s of 10-plus yards (193), and tackles for loss allowed (31). He also turned quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into one of college football’s premier quarterbacks in the process, and Penix Jr. also shared his thoughts on Grubb’s return.
“As I sat back and thought about it, I just know the guy that coach Grubb is,” Penix said on Wednesday. “He’s an honest guy, and he’s a guy that truly cares about this team and his players. …Coach Saban calls, you know, it’s definitely a big opportunity. But I knew that coach Grubb — it wasn’t going to take just that for him to leave.
“I felt like he was definitely going to go with his heart no matter what decision he made. And I believed the whole time his heart was here. with this university, he truly loves it here.”
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