- Alex Grinch has been dismissed from his role by head coach Lincoln Riley
- He previously worked under the coach at the University of Oklahoma
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
USC has reportedly fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
Head coach Lincoln Riley dropped his longtime top assistant a day after USC (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) gave up 572 yards and 52 points to No. 5 Washington in the Trojans’ third loss in four games.
The news was first reported by Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.
Grinch was USC’s defensive coordinator for the past season and a half.
Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers Coach Brian Odom will serve as USC’s co-defensive coordinators for the remainder of the season, including games against Oregon and UCLA prior to a bowl game.
Alex Grinch has been fired as USC’s defensive coordinator after a loss to Washington
Grinch was previously Riley’s defensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma
Taylor Mays, the former USC safety who was a defensive analyst this season, was promoted to an on-field role covering the Trojans’ safety.
USC has allowed 42.0 points and 483.7 yards per game over the past six games.
Grinch became Riley’s defensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2019, and he followed Riley to Los Angeles in late 2021.
But the Grinch defense has repeatedly lagged behind Riley’s productive offenses at both schools, and this season’s unit at USC has been completely ineffective despite an influx of talent from the transfer portal.
The Trojans have fallen to 119th out of 130 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season with 436.9 yards per game allowed, and they rank 121st in allowing 34.5 points per game allowed.
Grinch’s first USC defense also struggled, especially on the road as the Trojans lost their last two games.
Riley remained defiant with Grinch this offseason amid calls for his ouster, but the Trojans only got worse this season.
