Joel Klatt names the X-factor for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide in his post-spring football power rankings

The Alabama Crimson Tide disappointed, to say the least, in 2024.

Part of that had validity to it, considering it was Kalen DeBoer’s first year on the job.

And, he was without his right-hand man.

That has changed, with Joel Klatt believing it has Alabama as a top-10 team in the country…

Joel Klatt ranks Alabama #9 Overall in post spring power rankings
“At number nine, I struggled with this team quite a bit. I did not know where to put Alabama. I just didn’t,” said Klatt on his podcast. Looks like Ty Simpson is the leader to be the starting quarterback. I like Kalen DeBoer. I thought it was going to be better last year. Was it just not a fit with Jalen Milroe and Kalen DeBoer? Maybe. Simpson is a former five star. He’s been waiting three years for this chance….

“…Ryan Grubb, by the way, who was with Kalen DeBoer for years, and then last year, went to the Seattle Seahawks with Mike MacDonald to be their offensive coordinator. He’s gone now, and now he’s back with Kalen DeBoer. So there’s Ryan Grubb. And every time these two guys have been together, [DeBoer and Grubb] lights out offensively, and in particular, the quarterback play. Think of what Michael Pennix was able to do at Washington for those two years.”

Grubb will undoubtedly make a difference for the Tide. See, offensive football, especially in terms of coordinating, is very different than any other part of coaching the sport.

Offensive coordinators are rarely, ra-ra, in-your-face kind of coaches. They are abstract. They are creators, even artists if you will. And last year, Kalen DeBoer was a painter who didn’t have all the colors at his disposal.

With Grubb, he will.

It sounds cliche or corny, but there is a reason why, especially in college football, you see coaches constantly stick together or hire former people they worked with in their new role. Its a very, and I mean very tight-knit fraternity and it was clear that DeBoer missed his right-hand man last year.

He’ll have him back in 2025.