Ryan Grubb is able to remain in Seattle as Seahawks OC thanks to a “unicorn event.”
(AP) — RENTON, Wash. Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, declared he was fully committed to joining Alabama’s coaching staff as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator. That is, until a person Grubb met at the NFL combine a year ago contacted him to ask if he was interested in a position that would have allowed him to continue living in the Pacific Northwest and pursue his dream of becoming an NFL coach.
Why OC Grubb of the Seattle Seahawks can be “very successful” after leaving Washington
Upon being named the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Grubb remarked, “This is like the unicorn event in coaching,” during his first available interview. “What makes it so special is that I get to stay here, do it in a city and location that I already adore, and I’ve had two years to kind of let it marinate as far as what (GM) John Schneider does here. It’s also really special because of the ownership with the Seahawks and how elegant an organization this is and how driven they are to success.”
On Thursday, Grubb, new defensive coordinator Aden Durde, and special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh were introduced. Next season, Seattle will have a lot of firsts in the NFL: Mike Macdonald, the head coach, and new coordinators in every important position on the coaching staff.
Durde remarked, “You get together and you talk about things and I think Mike is very good at creating a vision.” “One thing is that when I come in here, I truly understand the defensive goals we’re attempting to accomplish, and I believe he’s formulated that vision. Thus, it’s now fostering a “let’s go get it” mission mindset.
Grubb was the main draw, having worked as Washington’s offensive coordinator for the previous two years close by. However, he had known Macdonald for a full year when they met at the combine and their friendship blossomed from then on.
“I developed that relationship over time by getting to know him through a few different conversations,” Grubb remarked. I had a sneaking suspicion that such an opportunity might present itself in the future. Though it was the first part, I didn’t necessarily think it would happen in the first year.
How well Grubb’s strategy, which produced 14 victories and a trip to the national championship game in Washington, works in the NFL is one of the major unanswered questions. In that, the quarterback might be very important.
And it looks like Geno Smith will be the quarterback for the time being. Before Friday, when Smith’s contract for the upcoming season becomes guaranteed at a base salary of $12.7 million, Seattle has no intention of making any moves.
Report: Geno Smith to remain with the Seattle Seahawks, with a ’24 salary guarantee
Smith and last year’s backup Drew Lock could still be traded by Seattle, especially with another $9 million due next month. However, for the time being, one of Grubb’s top priorities is to have the first few, basic talks with Smith.
“It’s just getting to know him as a person,” Grubb remarked. “There’s no plan or anything of the sort, but he’s a fierce rival. He desires coaching. His goal is to excel. It’s very important to him. To be honest, it’s inspiring to hear about his journey and personal development.
Harbaugh and Macdonald have a history dating back to their time as young coaches with Baltimore approximately ten years ago, even though Grubb and Macdonald first became acquainted a year ago and Durde had no prior relationship with the head coach.
Since 2015, Harbaugh has worked for Jim, his father, at Michigan. However, he chose to work with Macdonald instead of moving to Los Angeles to follow his father’s footsteps.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity I was given,” Harbaugh remarked. With this franchise, the path I know Mike will take it, and all the wonderful people in the front office being so proven and excellent at what they do, it was the kind of thing where I would never want to go my own way unless it really made sense in all the ways I talked about earlier. It all seemed to make sense.
