Report: USC Fires Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch
Hours after a horrendous showing against the potent Washington Huskies offense, USC has decided to relieve Alex Grinch of his duties in Los Angeles. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported the move
USC’s defensive performance was so abysmal last night that #FireGrinch and Alex Grinch were trending nationally on “X” for hours. The Trojans gave up 302 rushing yards to a Washington team barely cracking the century mark most weeks. Washington backup rusher Dillon Johnson ran for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Caleb Williams put in a superhuman effort. The former Heisman winner was last seen in an emotional state with his parents in the stands after the loss.
Coach Grinch leaves Los Angeles with a horrendous defensive record on his CV. To wit, his defenses ranked well into the 100s in total defense, scoring defense, and pass defense. The two-year statistical numbers break down as such:
31.8 points per game
256.8 pass yards per game
173.1 rush yards per game
430 total yards per game
USC’s run of terrible defense over the last six games before Grinch’s departure is astounding. In those contests, his stop unit gave up an average of 44 points per game. This run includes a hobbled Utah scoring 34, Notre Dame scoring 48, and weak Cal scoring 49. They lost three of the six matchups as a result.
Grinch’s departure comes days after another high-profile coordinator lost his job in Brian Ferentz.
What’s next for the Trojans?
Brett McMurphy of The Action Network reports that the interim DC titles will go to defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Odom
USC will finish out the 2023 regular season with a road date against playoff contender Oregon and a home contest against rival UCLA in the Battle for the Victory Bell. They are currently 7-3 overall and have a 5-2 Pac-12 record. Barring a total collapse from the teams ahead of them. they are likely out of the race for Las Vegas. It remains to be seen if Williams along with a host of others will opt out of the bowl game they are selected to. There is speculation that head coach Lincoln Riley will eventually leave for the NFL as well. Tough times in the cardinal and gold side of LA lay ahead.
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!