Will Alabama OC Ryan Grubb be on the sideline against Auburn?

Photo by Kent Gidley - Alabama Athletics

A change was made before Alabama football’s matchup with Eastern Illinois on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and that change pertained to Ryan Grubb.

Instead of sitting up top in the box and call plays, he moved down to the sideline for the game. This is something he did because he wanted to make sure his communication was right with the coaches and players.

Grubb was asked how he liked coaching from the sideline and if he’ll be on the sideline against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

“It was great, and yeah,” Grubb said. “That was something I’ve been thinking about, honestly since the beginning of the year, and the last few weeks, it’s been adding up on me a bit. I just felt like it could make a difference honestly. Some of it was for me selfishly to make sure that my communication with the coaches and players is where I want it to be so I feel good about the plays I’m calling in the next series. Even just being down there with Ty and Keelon and Austin was great. Obviously, I think the world of Nick [Sherdian] and trust him. He does a fantastic job with those guys on the sideline, but for me, just being right there in the thick of it and being able to make the adjustments I want to make felt really good, so it was great being down there.”

It’s been a while since Grubb consistently coached from the sideline. He shared that he used to be on the sideline more often when he was at Fresno State.

“There’s a lot of factors that go into it,” Grubb said. “I did it a few times at Fresno [State]. Some of it has to do with comfort level with two parts. Number one, the people you have in the box as far as your ideas in the sky, and then, also where you’re at with the guys on the sideline. So, I tend to focus more on the positive part, meaning that the guys that are in the box for us, Tyler Hughes and Mitch Dahlen are as good as it gets. Those guys both have been in our system and with me for a number of years, so whatever information I need to collective that I don’t think I have a good enough vantage point on, I know I’m gonna get accurate information from those guys. Lot of confidence with that, and I felt like just again, the collaboration on the field, the in-game adjustments can happen quicker for me and the rest of the guys.”

This answer is leading everyone to believe that Grubb will indeed be on the sideline for the Iron Bowl, and the communication aspect of things is going to be critical for offensive success in a tough environment and against a top defense in the nation like Auburn’s.