Alex Grinch might be retained as USC’s defensive coordinator in 2023, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley confirmed Tuesday. Grinch adopted Riley to Los Angeles from Oklahoma, however was criticized after quite a few poor defensive performances throughout his 4 years with Riley.
“I do know what he is manufactured from. I simply know. I do know what is going on to occur defensively. And so, I simply have a confidence and a perception there, not simply in Alex, however within the different guys within the room.” Riley said.
Grinch joined Riley at Oklahoma after success at Washington State and a mean tenure as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State. In his first season, the Grinch helped remodel the Sooners from the No. 1 total protection. 114 in faculty soccer in a top-40 unit, proven by holding Texas to simply 310 yards and a pair of.eight yards per carry in a 34-27 victory. The unit improved to No. 29 in whole protection in 2020.
Nevertheless, the Grinch’s protection has spiraled over the previous two seasons and hit new lows since transferring to Los Angeles. The Trojans squandered a 15-point lead with simply four:30 left in a 46-45 Cotton Bowl loss to Tulane on Jan. 2 in one of the vital irritating finishes of the season. In three losses throughout an 11-Three marketing campaign, the Grinch’s protection allowed 136 factors and 1,634 yards — basically a full mile of whole offense.
Rumors have swirled that Riley may contemplate transferring in one other course at defensive coordinator following the Cotton Bowl collapse, however Riley instructed reporters that no personnel modifications are anticipated on both aspect of the ball exterior of the interim receivers coach , Luke Huard, who received at full time. place after former receivers coach Dave Nichol tragically died of most cancers.
The Grinch is now turning into one of the vital scrutinized assistant coaches in faculty soccer. USC was a pair of video games away from Utah incomes its first journey to the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however the Utes scored a mixed 90 factors on the Grinch protection’s two shutouts. The Grinch hasn’t held a ranked opponent to lower than 27 factors because the 2020 Cotton Bowl in opposition to Florida, when the Gators have been with out quarterback Kyle Trask and tight finish Kyle Pitts.
Nonetheless, USC’s workers was aggressive within the switch window, including 5 defensive gamers to hitch the 12 defensive transfers from the earlier recruiting class. Complicating issues is the truth that first-team All-American defensive again Tuli Tuipulotu and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon are each gone for the NFL draft.
Regardless, one other rating exterior the highest 90 total and scoring protection, particularly with Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams main the opposite aspect of the ball, might find yourself with Riley wanting in a brand new course for 2024 .