Alex Grinch was fired by USC as defensive coordinator after less than two years on the team. Saturday’s 52-42 loss to Washington was the result of Grinch’s defense giving up 44.2 points per game in the previous six games played by the Trojans.
For the remainder of the season, defensive coordinators in temporary roles will be inside linebackers coach Brian Odom and defensive line coach Shaun Nua. Grinch has been replaced as the safeties coach by defensive analyst Taylor Mays, a former USC All-American defensive back.
After the 2021 season, Grinch moved from Oklahoma to USC with coach Lincoln Riley, despite significant criticism of his Sooners defenses. The unit faced additional scrutiny in Los Angeles the previous season following USC’s 11-3 campaign, which included a Cotton Bowl loss, during which it surrendered 136 points in three games.
But in the midst of a dismal 2023 campaign, the unit collapsed. The defense has regressed despite adding nine transfers; it is now ranked 119th overall and nearly 30th in scoring defense. The defense has dropped 14 spots to No. 119 in total defense. In the last six games, his defense has let up 265 points while only holding Utah to less than 40 points.
Riley had his first ever three-loss regular season as a result of the Trojans’ 3-3 record during that stretch. When the Trojans travel to Oregon the following week, things do not get any simpler.
Grinch hails from the esteemed coaching trees of Gary Pinkel and Mount Union. He was given his first opportunity to call plays under Mike Leach at Washington State, where in just two years he moved the Cougars from 84th to 16th place in total defense, making him one of the nation’s most sought-after young coordinator candidates. The Sooners’ defense ranked in the top 30 in 2020 under Grinch’s direction, but they dropped to 76th in 2021 before losing to USC.
