There was a rather large exhale amongst Washington Husky faithful when news broke of the University of Washington signing Ryan Grubb adding two years to his contract to coach Washington’s offense. That keeps the offensive minds of head coach Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb together
The off season will give the Huskies a chance go out and fortify depth at key positions, and immediately address positions of need. With conference openings at Arizona State, Colorado and Stanford it could have been easy for Grubb to throw his lure into the water and see who might bite.
However, remaining with Kalen DeBoer and helping rebuild the Washington program was all the bait needed. Ok, and perhaps the $1.67 million in the final year of his contract, which expires in 2025, was needed, as well.
The contract delivers a few hidden messages.
Firstly, it illustrates that the University will plunk down the funds to keep the DeBoer machine going. The machine has generated the nation’s leading passing attack, the first time UW has had two 1,000 yard receivers in a single season, and a QB that sits just 104 yards from setting a single-season record in passing yards.
Oh, and of course, a 10-2 record that includes wins in Eugene and Pullman–and a shot at a New Years 6 bowl game.
In reality, a 10-2 record really shouldn’t be all that surprising given the abundance of talent on the roster. Heading into the 2021 season it was difficult to look at the schedule and find a loss. After back-to-back loses to open the season it was difficult to look at the schedule and see many wins.
It wasn’t one thing that was wrong with the offense, it was everything.
To the consternation of Husky Nation, the Jimmy Lake mantra of “Run the Damn Ball” was a scheme that didn’t take advantage of the talent on hand. One only need see Rome Odunze’s and Jalen McMillan’s receiving totals. Then there’s Giles Jackson, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Taj Davis all of whom have been valuable contributors this season.
Jimmy Lake was viewed as a home run hire, but he struck out on three-straight Jamie Moyer off-speed pitches. Conversely, when DeBoer was hired many considered it to be a double, maybe a triple hire.
Grubb didn’t fix one thing with the offense, he fixed everything. Now there’s a dollar amount affixed to the team’s success.
There’s a second message that Grubb’s contract delivered, perhaps unintentionally, perhaps intentionally. It tells the defensive side of the ball to make changes this off season to get things right. They must improve, when they do they’re going to be compensated.
The contract that goes through the 2025 season keeps him in place for a clear path of succession of Washington’s QB from Michael Penix to either Dylan Morris or Sam Huard then perhaps 2023 QB commit Lincoln Kienholz to 2024 EJ Caminong.
Finally, it helps with recruiting. DeBoer and Grubb will have the opportunity to make Washington one of the top destinations in the country for offensive players.
As it turns out, it with the DeBoer hire was a big hit and it was Jen Cohen who was the one that was got out the rye bread and mustard, as Mariners’ Baseball Hall of Fame announcer would say.
