Why Alabama OC Ryan Grubb returned to press box to call Oklahoma game
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NORMAN, Okla. − JaMarcus Shephard is now officially a former Alabama football coach, and that's why Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb wasn't calling plays from the sideline during UA's 34-24 College Football Playoff win at Oklahoma on Friday.
Shephard, hired as Oregon State's new head coach last month, is no longer with the team after staying with the Crimson Tide through the SEC Championship Game.
That compelled Grubb to return to the press box to call plays after doing so from the sideline for the previous three games.
"Coach Shephard is obviously at Oregon State now, so Tyler Hughes, one of our senior analysts, is coaching the receivers. That's a big job on the sideline, getting the right guys in the game. So with his eyes not up in the box for me, and coach (Mitch) Dahlen wasn't here, he's been at Oregon State," Grubb said. "So, haven't had him all week. So I just felt like, just to be accurate, and to make sure I got the things I needed from the sky."
Grubb spent most of the season calling plays from the press box but moved to the sideline for better communication with the offense beginning with UA's 56-0 win over Eastern Illinois.
"Normally, I have a couple guys up there giving me information, and I feel really good about that, but I didn't have that exact scenario, so I felt like it was the prudent thing to do to be up there and make sure I got good pictures," Grubb added.
Asked last week about reports that Shephard will be replaced by Auburn wide receivers coach Derrick Nix, UA head coach Kalen DeBoer declined comment earlier this week.
With the win, Alabama (11-3) advanced to face Indiana in a CFP quarterfinal on Jan. 1.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Alabama OC Ryan Grubb returned to press box to call Oklahoma game
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