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Alabama’s second-most important coach on its football roster meets reporters on Thursday in spring practice.

Ryan Grubb is under a microscope for Crimson Tide fans, especially after the inconsistency of his offensive structure led to Alabama’s tailspin late in the 2025 season. He had some innovative moments – including a strong performance in the first half against Georgia – however, the Tide fell off when it needed to be at its best.

Alabama supporters saw how the Seattle Seahawks got better after departing from Grubb, but they want to know is he elite?

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Three questions face Grubb in spring and heading into the fall – following a season where Alabama’s offense averaged its lowest amount of points per game (29.5) since Nick Saban’s first year in 2007 (27.1) – that he must answer. 

1. Will the running game be more prominent?

Ty Simpson had everything placed on his shoulders last year, and it led to him getting injured down the stretch and Alabama’s offense malfunctioning.

Grubb could not get a consistent run game going, which greatly limited his play calling.

The Tide made a change at offensive line coach – replacing Chris Kapilovic with Adrian Klemm – but can Grubb make it work?

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Alabama has experience at running back and a talented young freshman, EJ Crowell, yet Grubb has to situationally craft opportunities for it to succeed. He has to put more emphasis on running the football.

2. How will Alabama start faster on offense?

Grubb’s offense was notorious for slow starts in several games last year.

Alabama struggled punching in touchdowns many times on opening drives and possessions that followed.

Slow starts led to its defeats versus Oklahoma (regular season), Georgia (SEC Championship Game), and Indiana (Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff). It is vital for Grubb to have the Tide jump on opposition early and keep its foot on the gas. 

3. In what ways will Alabama match balance with creativity?

He had a creative offense at Washington that featured balance, but Alabama fans are wondering if Grubb brought it down south? The Huskies had a 4,000-yard quarterback (Michael Penix Jr.), two 1,000-yard wide receivers (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk), and a 1,000-yard running back (Dillon Johnson) in its 2023 run to the CFP National Championship Game.

Tide fans want that brand of balance and creativity from Grubb on a roster that has more talent than Washington’s.

How does Grubb make it happen?

Situational football comes with making timely calls at the right moment. 

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Grubb has to wisely pick windows to take shots in the passing game, while understanding moments of when to be stubborn and pound the ball down the opposition’s throat. It is a fine art to achieve this feat; nevertheless, the 49-year-old needs to accomplish it. The dance of balance and creativity has to be obtained if Grubb is to remain connected with DeBoer.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.