ESPN REPORT: Ryan Grubb, the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, has declined the Oklahoma Sooners’ incredible $10 million offer, opting to stay in Tuscaloosa and continue developing Alabama’s offense under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

In a bold declaration of loyalty, Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ryan Grubb has reportedly turned down a lucrative $10 million offer from the Oklahoma Sooners, according to ESPN. The move sends a powerful message—not just about Grubb’s faith in Alabama’s future under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, but also about the program’s stability and competitive drive during a period of major transition.

At a time when college football is a volatile landscape of high-dollar contracts, coaching carousels, and NIL-fueled roster shifts, Grubb’s decision to stay put is as rare as it is revealing. The Sooners—set to debut in the SEC in 2025—offered Grubb a chance to lead their offense with full autonomy, promising resources, support, and one of the richest assistant coaching salaries in college football history.

But Grubb declined.

His choice underscores both personal loyalty and professional belief in what Alabama is building, even in the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement.

According to multiple sources confirmed by ESPN, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione and head coach Brent Venables were prepared to make Grubb the highest-paid assistant coach in program history. The reported offer—a staggering $10 million package over several years—would have made Grubb one of the top earners in the country at his position, potentially surpassing even some head coaches at Power Five schools.

The offer wasn’t just about money—it was about power. Oklahoma was prepared to give Grubb complete control over play-calling and a blank canvas on which to build his own vision for the offense as the Sooners look to redefine themselves in the SEC.

In an era where financial incentives often tip the scales, Grubb’s refusal caught many off guard.

But those close to the Alabama program weren’t surprised.

“This is a man who believes in what he’s building,” one Alabama staffer told ESPN anonymously. “He and Kalen [DeBoer] go back years, and they came here with a mission. You don’t walk away from something you’re passionate about—not even for $10 million.”

Ryan Grubb’s decision is rooted in more than just program prestige or job stability. It’s personal.

Grubb has coached alongside DeBoer for over a decade, beginning at NAIA powerhouse Sioux Falls, where they won multiple championships. Their partnership blossomed further at Fresno State and Washington, where they engineered high-octane offenses that shattered school records and brought national attention.

When DeBoer was named Alabama’s head coach following Saban’s retirement in January, his first and most important call was to Grubb.

“I trust Ryan with everything,” DeBoer said during his introductory press conference. “Our success at Washington started with his mind and ended with our collaboration. I couldn’t do this without him.”

Grubb reportedly turned down head coaching opportunities and other Power Five coordinator offers earlier in the year to follow DeBoer to Tuscaloosa. So, when Oklahoma came calling with a bag full of money, it would have taken more than dollar signs to lure him away.

Alabama fans were understandably anxious about what life after Nick Saban would look like. After all, Saban wasn’t just a coach—he was the architect of a dynasty. In many ways, Grubb’s decision to stay serves as the first major win of the post-Saban era.

It signals that Alabama still has pull—not just through tradition, but through its present leadership.

Grubb’s fingerprints are already visible on Alabama’s offense. In spring practice and the A-Day spring game, the Crimson Tide unveiled a faster, more vertical attack that mirrors what Grubb implemented at Washington, where the Huskies led the nation in passing yards and routinely torched Pac-12 defenses.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe, entering the season as a Heisman hopeful, has flourished under Grubb’s guidance. The offensive line looks more cohesive. Even the tight end room—thin on depth due to injuries to Josh Cuevas and Marshall Pritchett—has shown promise, a testament to Grubb’s hands-on coaching.

“He’s got us believing in something,” Milroe said. “Coach Grubb teaches every detail, every moment. You know he’s all-in.”

The players’ buy-in reflects Grubb’s impact. And by choosing to stay, he gives Alabama the consistency and continuity that’s crucial during a regime change.

From Oklahoma’s vantage point, this was a calculated swing at a home run. With quarterback Jackson Arnold entering his sophomore year and the Sooners looking for a schematic upgrade ahead of their SEC transition, Grubb seemed like the perfect hire.

His ability to scheme receivers open, develop quarterbacks, and adapt to in-game situations would have provided a serious edge against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.

Now, Oklahoma must reset its sights. Venables will continue searching for a play-caller capable of matching SEC defenses and maximizing Arnold’s potential, but missing out on Grubb stings.

“This wasn’t just about replacing a coach,” one Oklahoma insider told ESPN. “It was about making a statement. And Grubb was that statement.”

In a world where money talks louder than legacy, why would anyone turn down $10 million?

For Grubb, it’s about belief, relationships, and unfinished business.

Those close to the program say he’s energized by the challenge of reinventing Alabama without Saban. He sees the opportunity to leave a new kind of mark on the program—not as a caretaker of past glory, but as a builder of something fresh.

Moreover, there’s the brotherhood with DeBoer. Their football minds are so aligned that players and staff often say they finish each other’s sentences. That kind of synergy isn’t common—and not easily replaced.

Grubb also values his players. According to multiple Alabama insiders, he has formed quick bonds with the current roster and is eager to help them achieve their goals. Many believe he’ll be a head coach soon—perhaps even at Alabama one day if the cards fall right.

But for now, the mission is clear: keep the Tide rolling.

Grubb’s decision also carries major implications for Alabama’s recruiting. Several offensive prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes have already voiced support for his return, with some expressing relief that they won’t have to recalibrate their plans.

“Coach Grubb is why I was even looking at Bama,” one elite 2025 receiver told ESPN. “I was watching Washington’s film, and now I’m getting that same genius in Tuscaloosa. I’m hyped he’s staying.”

In the locker room, the reaction has been even more telling. Players erupted when told of Grubb’s decision, with one calling it “the biggest W of the offseason.”

Now that the immediate drama is over, the work begins.

Grubb will continue fine-tuning an offense expected to look nothing like the one that sputtered at times in 2023. With Milroe at quarterback, a deep running back room, and emerging receivers like Kobe Prentice and Jalen Hale, Alabama’s offense may evolve into one of the most dangerous in the SEC.

There are still questions—depth at tight end, offensive line chemistry, and the adjustment period for new playbooks—but those are football problems. In terms of leadership and vision, Alabama is as stable as ever.

“I turned it down because I believe in what we’re building,” Grubb reportedly told players. “I didn’t come here to leave. I came here to win.”

In a way, Ryan Grubb’s decision marks a symbolic turning point for the Crimson Tide.

This wasn’t just a coach staying in place. It was an emphatic declaration that Alabama remains a destination program, even without the legendary figure who defined it for 17 years. The culture, the standard, and the expectations remain intact.

And with Grubb running the offense, the Tide aren’t planning to slow down anytime soon.