The University of Southern California (USC) has decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after two games remaining in the regular season. The news was announced by USC head coach Clay Helton on Tuesday.
Grinch had been the defensive coordinator for the Trojans since 2018 and was widely credited with helping to improve the team’s defense. During his tenure, USC had the third-best defense in the Pac-12 Conference and was ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense.
However, despite the improvements, USC had struggled to keep up with the rest of the conference this season. The Trojans had allowed an average of 33.5 points per game and were ranked 11th in total defense in the Pac-12.
Helton said that the decision to part ways with Grinch was not an easy one, but that it was necessary to ensure the team could reach its goals. He said that he and his staff will now focus on finding a new defensive coordinator who can help the Trojans reach their full potential.
The move comes as a surprise to many, as Grinch had been widely praised for his work with the Trojans. He had previously served as the defensive coordinator at Washington State and Ohio State, and was seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks.
It remains to be seen who USC will hire as its new defensive coordinator, but it is clear that the Trojans will need to make a quick decision in order to have a successful finish to the season. With two games remaining in the regular season, USC will need to find a way to improve its defense if it wants to make a run at the Pac-12 title.
