Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer backed offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb amid growing fan discontent over the team's performance in back-to-back losses to Georgia and Tennessee.
The offense, which had been averaging more than 40 points per game previously, has averaged 13.5 points the last two games.
"I think he's a great playcaller," DeBoer said of Grubb, who joined Alabama last season after one year as OC with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. "... There's a lot of scenarios that go into struggling at times as an offense. And again, it comes down to execution a lot of those moments. Our fourth-and-1 calls, I think they're really good calls. They're calls we were ready to run in that game. Our guys knew. There's details of not stepping on top of each other and things like that that matter."
DeBoer said that Grubb is evaluating his work and is "as critical of himself as anyone." The two have coached together for nearly 20 years.
"You're just always trying to make it better," DeBoer said. "... We got to continue to evolve around the players that we have, help them play fast."
Grubb didn't hold back when describing the offense of late. Scoring 10 points at Tennessee was "super disappointing" and "embarrassing" he said. Not scoring a second-half touchdown the last two games was "pathetic."
"And if I was a fan or a supporter, I'd be pissed off too," he added. "So, I know our guys are going to come back ready to work, and I just wouldn't count these guys out. Let's just see what happens this week."
Alabama hosts Texas A&M on Saturday. A third loss would dramatically decrease the Crimson Tide's odds of reaching the College Football Playoff.
Grubb said he and the coaching staff have to come up with "better answers" against defenses.
Quarterback Keelon Russell, who was a top Heisman Trophy contender through the first five games of the season, has regressed over the last two weeks. He's combined for one passing touchdown and four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles).
Grubb said he needs to help Russell play faster.
"Because he's a great player," he said. "I mean, I'll say it, I'll go on record. I think Keelon Russell's the best quarterback in America, period. And I know that's not what showed up on Saturday.
"And again, I can only take accountability for myself and getting Keelon in a better spot because I know he is that kind of player. So, going back to the game plan, what's easy for Keelon? And it's not that Keelon isn't incapable of handling tough things or difficult concepts and things like that. It's just in those type of environments ... you got to make it as clean as possible."
Complicating matters for Alabama's offense is the absence of starting wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty, as well as second-string running back EJ Crowell. All three are questionable to play vs. Texas A&M.
DeBoer said, looking ahead, "Our standard doesn't change."
"It starts with me and our staff continue to make sure we uphold everything and continue to find ways to put our guys in better positions to be successful," he added. "We believe in our guys. ... They came to work today, ready to go. And frustration or any type of hurt or anything like that, that's a good sign because it means that the investment is there. And I expect that from our guys and they expect that from each other. And so just I think a lot of it comes down to continuity and consistency in really all phases, and we just got to keep improving. And so it's back to work."