USC’s defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, has been dismissed by Trojans coach Lincoln Riley after the team allowed a total of 101 points in the last two games. Grinch, formerly with Oklahoma as their defensive coordinator, struggled to improve USC’s defense, which averaged 34.5 points per game this season and ranked poorly in various statistical categories.
Riley appointed Shaun Nua and Brian Odom, the D-line and linebackers coaches respectively, as co-defensive coordinators for the remainder of the season. Criticism against Grinch had been mounting, especially following USC’s poor defensive showings in crucial games last season.
Grinch often took responsibility for the defense’s struggles, expressing disappointment in his coaching performance. Despite USC’s efforts to bolster the defense with new talent from the transfer portal, such as Bear Alexander from Georgia and Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State, the unit’s performance did not improve. USC ended last season ranked 87th in defensive SP+ and maintains the same ranking this season.
Riley had supported Grinch and his efforts so far. However, after USC’s recent home loss to Washington, where the defense allowed 572 yards, Riley chose not to address broader concerns about Grinch and the defense.
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“As the head coach, I bear ultimate responsibility,” Riley said. “I don’t avoid that, but there’s a time and place for those discussions, and we’ll have them at the right moment.”
A source close to the program told ESPN that Grinch was essentially finished at USC, and despite thoughts of waiting until the season’s end, Riley made the decision in less than a day.
With USC’s second conference loss, they must win every remaining game and rely on significant help for a chance at the Pac-12 title. Next, they face Oregon, a team with a potent offense similar to Washington’s.
While Grinch was a prominent figure in USC’s defensive problems, Riley and the coaching staff face a challenging task as they prepare for the move to the Big Ten next season. They aim not to squander a top-five offense, as they have in the past two seasons.
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