Nick Saban Appears To Be Narrowing In On A New Offensive Coordinator And Everyone Else Should Be Worried

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The 2022 college football season could be considered a down year for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Tide welcomed back Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner Will Anderson Jr. to the fold.

So expectations were understandably sky-high in Tuscaloosa. But Bama not only did not win a national championship, the Crimson Tide failed to make the playoffs altogether.

An 11-2 season that culminated with a dominant win in the Sugar Bowl would be a fantastic season just about anywhere else. But that doesn’t fly for Nick Saban.

In the aftermath, Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien opted to leave Bama and return to the NFL with his previous longtime employer, the New England Patriots.

That left Saban and company on the hunt for a new coordinator. While big names such as Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Brady were the first to arise, it appears the Tide may now be headed in a different direction.

Nick Saban Meets With Washington Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb About Alabama Job

Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb had quite the showing in 2022. Grubb, in his first season in Seattle, helped the Huskies go from No. 72 to No. 1 in the nation in passing offense.

Now he could be on the move.

Scott Eklund of 247Sport reports that Saban met with Grubb in Tuscaloosa on Monday.

Washington gave Grubb a pair of pay raises in 2022. The first came with a two-year extension signed following the regular season. The second was after Grubb received attention from Texas A&M for its then-vacant offensive coordinator spot. That raise put Grubb around nearly $2 million per season according to Eklund.

But Saban’s history is undeniable, especially when it comes to helping coordinators become head coaches. The Huskies have a lot of momentum entering the 2023 season with star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returning. But Alabama is Alabama, and Grubb may find it hard to say no to the GOAT.