Alex Grinch
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Alexander Gregory Grinch (born May 29, 1980) is an American
college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
coach. He is the
defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator (DC) is a coach responsible for a gridiron football team's defense. Generally, the defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, wit ...
for the
UCF Knights The UCF Knights are the sport, athletic teams that represent the University of Central Florida in unincorporated Orange County, Florida near Orlando, Florida, Orlando. The Knights participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NC ...
. He previously served as the
defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator (DC) is a coach responsible for a gridiron football team's defense. Generally, the defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, wit ...
at
Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...
,
USC USC may refer to: Education United States * Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, Puerto Rico * University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina ** University of South Carolina System, a state university system of South Carolina * ...
,
Oklahoma Oklahoma ( ; Choctaw language, Choctaw: , ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northea ...
,
Ohio State The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one of the largest universities by enrollme ...
and
Washington State Washington, officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is often referred to as Washington State to distinguish it from the national capital, both named after George Washington ...
. Grinch also coached the secondary at
Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...
,
New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
and
Wyoming Wyoming ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States, Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho t ...
. Grinch is a four-time nominee for the
Broyles Award The Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles. The award is presented in Little ...
and was a semifinalist in 2017 and 2019.


Playing career

Grinch played
defensive back In gridiron football, defensive backs (DBs), also called the secondary, are the players on the defensive side of the ball who play farthest back from the line of scrimmage. They are distinguished from the other two sets of defensive players, the ...
at
Mount Union College The University of Mount Union is a private liberal arts university in Alliance, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1846, the university was affiliated with the Methodist Church until 2019. It had an enrollment of 2,100 students as of 2023. Histo ...
from 1998 to 2001. During that time, Mount Union amassed a record of 54–1 and won three NCAA Division III Football Championships. Grinch graduated from Mount Union in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in sport management.


Coaching career


Missouri

From 2002 to 2004, Grinch was a graduate assistant under
Gary Pinkel Gary Robin Pinkel (born April 27, 1952) is an American former college football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Toledo from 1991 to 2000 and the University of Missouri from 2001 to 2015, compiling career record o ...
at the
University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...
, and he completed his master's degree in educational leadership and policy analysis at Missouri in 2004.


New Hampshire

Grinch's first regular assistant coaching job was at Division I-AA
New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
under
Sean McDonnell Sean Patrick McDonnell (born October 15, 1956) is a retired college football coach and former player, best known for his tenure as head football coach at the University of New Hampshire. Biography McDonnell, nicknamed "Coach Mac", served as the ...
. In 2005 and 2006, Grinch was the cornerbacks coach. After a promotion, Grinch became the recruiting coordinator and coached the entire defensive secondary in 2007 and 2008.
Chip Kelly Charles Edward Kelly (born November 25, 1963) is an American professional American football, football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as a college foo ...
was the OC at New Hampshire and Grinch learned the value of practicing fast from competing against him every day.


Wyoming

Grinch spent three seasons at Wyoming as the recruiting coordinator and coaching the secondary. He coached cornerback Marqueston Huff who was drafted into 4th round of NFL and
Tashaun Gipson Tashaun James Gipson Sr. (born August 7, 1990) is an American professional football safety. He played college football at Wyoming and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Gipson has also played for the Jacksonvill ...
would become a future NFL
Pro Bowl The National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942), Pro Bowl (1951–2022), or Pro Bowl Games (since 2023) is an annual event held by the National Football League (NFL) featuring the league's All-star, star players. The format has changed ...
safety.


Missouri (second stint)

Again working under Pinkel, Grinch coached the secondary and safeties at Missouri from 2012 to 2014. In 2013, they finished 11–1 season and their first-ever SEC Eastern Division title. However, they lost to Auburn in the
SEC Championship Game The SEC Championship Game is an annual American football game that has determined the Southeastern Conference's season champion since 1992. For its first 32 seasons, the championship game pitted the Eastern Division regular season champion again ...
. Missouri would go onto winning the
2014 Cotton Bowl Classic The 2014 Cotton Bowl Classic was a college football bowl game between the #9 Missouri Tigers of the Southeastern Conference and the #13 Oklahoma State Cowboys of the Big 12 Conference. The 78th edition of the Cotton Bowl Classic took place on Jan ...
against
Oklahoma State Oklahoma State University (informally Oklahoma State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. The university was established in 1890 under the legislation of the Morrill Act. Originally known ...
. In 2014, they clinched another SEC Division title but would lose to
Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...
in the 2014 SEC Championship Game.
E. J. Gaines Edwin "E. J." Gaines Jr. (born February 23, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers. He was selected by the St. Loui ...
would later go onto getting drafted in
2014 NFL Draft The 2014 NFL draft was the 79th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players to the league. The draft, officially the "Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in New Y ...
.


Washington State

From 2015 to 2017, Grinch was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at
Washington State Washington, officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is often referred to as Washington State to distinguish it from the national capital, both named after George Washington ...
under Mike Leach
Hercules Mata'afa Hercules Mata'afa (born September 18, 1995) is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning consensus All-American honors in 20 ...
was named Consensus
All-American The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...
(
2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
) and the
Pac-12 The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate athletic conference in the Western United States. It participates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level for all sports, and its football teams compete in the Football Bowl ...
Defensive Player of The Year (2017). He coached several NFL players including:
Jalen Thompson Jalen Thompson (born July 18, 1998) is an American professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and was selected by the Cardinals in the ...
, Daniel Ekuale, Frankie Luvu,
Hercules Mata'afa Hercules Mata'afa (born September 18, 1995) is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning consensus All-American honors in 20 ...
, Destiny Vaeao,
Xavier Cooper Xavier Cooper (born November 30, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, and was selected by the Clevel ...
, and
Shalom Luani Shalom Luani (born August 5, 1994) is an American football safety. He has also represented American Samoa in soccer, having scored against Tonga in American Samoa's first-ever win in FIFA-sanctioned play. Luani, who played as a forward, scored tw ...
.


Ohio State

In January 2018, Grinch joined
Urban Meyer Urban Frank Meyer III (born July 10, 1964) is an American Sports commentator, sportscaster and former college football coach. He spent most of his coaching career at the collegiate level, having served as the head coach of the Bowling Green F ...
's staff at
Ohio State The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one of the largest universities by enrollme ...
as co-defensive coordinator. The Buckeyes won the
Big Ten The Big Ten Conference (stylized B1G, formerly the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference, among others) is a collegiate athletic conference in the United States. Founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives in 1 ...
and
Rose Bowl Rose Bowl or Rosebowl may refer to: * Rose Bowl Game, an annual American college football game * Rose Bowl (stadium), Pasadena, California, site of the football game, and the home stadium of the UCLA Football team * Rose Bowl (cricket ground), West ...
that season. Three Buckeyes were NFL Draft picks during his tenure:
Nick Bosa Nicholas John Bosa (born October 23, 1997) is an American professional American football, football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes football, O ...
(2nd overall pick), Dre'Mont Jones (third round), and
Kendall Sheffield Kendall Sheffield (born May 30, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons i ...
(fourth round).


Oklahoma

In January 2019, Grinch joined
Lincoln Riley Lincoln Michael Riley (born September 5, 1983) is an American college football coach and former player who is the head coach of the USC Trojans football program at the University of Southern California. Riley previously served as the head coach ...
's staff at
Oklahoma Oklahoma ( ; Choctaw language, Choctaw: , ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northea ...
as defensive coordinator. He spent three years with the Sooners and was able to help turnaround defense that finished 101st in scoring defense and 130th in passing defense, under former defensive coordinator
Mike Stoops Michael Joseph Stoops (born December 13, 1961) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the inside linebackers coach for the University of Kentucky, a position he has held since 2022. Stoops also served as the head football ...
, who would be fired after giving up 48 points to rival Texas. In 2019, their defense allowed the fewest yards per game, ranking 20th. Oklahoma won the Big 12 championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Peach Bowl.


USC

In November 2021, Grinch followed Riley after he was hired to be the next head coach at
USC USC may refer to: Education United States * Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, Puerto Rico * University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina ** University of South Carolina System, a state university system of South Carolina * ...
, serving in the same capacity as before. At USC he inherited a Trojan defensive roster that in 2021 finished as one of the worst units statistically in program history, ranking 103rd in scoring defense and well below average in all other categories. In his first year at USC, in 2022, the Trojans had the nation's best turnover margin. This marked a huge improvement over 2021, when the Trojans were ranked 74th in the country in the same category.  The Trojans focused extensively on turnovers, ranking third in the country with interceptions from a dozen different players.
Tuli Tuipulotu Tuli Tuipulotu (born September 3, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he was named the Pat Tillman Defen ...
was named the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and
unanimous All-American The College Football All-America Team is an honorific college football all-star team compiled after each NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season to recognize that season's most outstanding performers at their respective positions. ...
in 2022. They finished the season 11–3, losing to
Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
in the
Pac-12 championship game The Pac-12 Football Championship Game was an annual college football game held by the Pac-12 Conference to determine the season's conference champion. The game from the 2011–2021 seasons had the champion of the North Division against the cham ...
, eliminating them from national championship playoff consideration. Mekhi Blackmon was named All-America and drafted in the 3rd round of
2023 NFL draft The 2023 NFL draft was the 88th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players for the 2023 NFL season, 2023 season. The NFL draft, draft was held outside of Kansas City Union Station, Union Station i ...
. After a promising start with USC, the 2023 Trojan defense would later allow 293 points over the next seven game stretch and fell to 7–3. Of these seven games, opponents scored over 41 points five times. On November 5, 2023, Grinch was fired as USC's defensive coordinator. He coached several NFL players at his time at USC which included: Calen Bullock, Mekhi Blackmon, Solomon Byrd,
Ralen Goforth Ralen Goforth (born November 2, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the USC Trojans and for the Washington Huskies. Early life Goforth attended high school at St. John Bosco. Coming out of hi ...
,
Shane Lee Shane Lee may refer to: * Shane Lee (American football) (born 2000), American football player * Shane Lee (cricketer) (born 1973), Australian cricketer * Shane Lee (racing driver) (born 1993), American stock car racing driver {{hndis, Lee, Sha ...
, Brandon Pili,
Tuli Tuipulotu Tuli Tuipulotu (born September 3, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he was named the Pat Tillman Defen ...
and Christian Roland-Wallace


Wisconsin

In February 2024, Grinch joined
Luke Fickell Luke Joseph Fickell (born August 18, 1973) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a position he has held since 2023. Previously he was the head coach at t ...
's staff at
Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...
as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The secondary thrived and ranked #14th in country of passing yards allowed.


UCF

In December 2024, Grinch was announced as UCF's defensive coordinator following the hire of
Scott Frost Scott Andrew Frost (born January 4, 1975) is an American football coach and player who currently serves as the head football coach for UCF Knights football, UCF. He was the head football coach at the Nebraska Cornhuskers football, University o ...
.


Personal life

Grinch grew up in
Grove City, Ohio Grove City is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1852, it is a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, Columbus. The population was 41,252 at the 2020 census. History Until the mid-19th century, the area that is now Grove City was a wil ...
and graduated from Grove City High School. In 2003, he married Rebecca Blaser. They have two children. He is the nephew of longtime Missouri head coach
Gary Pinkel Gary Robin Pinkel (born April 27, 1952) is an American former college football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Toledo from 1991 to 2000 and the University of Missouri from 2001 to 2015, compiling career record o ...
, under whom Grinch worked as a graduate assistant and safeties coach.


References


External links


USC profile

Oklahoma profile

Washington State profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grinch, Alex 1980 births Living people American football safeties Missouri Tigers football coaches Mount Union Purple Raiders football players New Hampshire Wildcats football coaches Ohio State Buckeyes football coaches Oklahoma Sooners football coaches USC Trojans football coaches Washington State Cougars football coaches Wyoming Cowboys football coaches University of Missouri alumni People from Grove City, Ohio Players of American football from Franklin County, Ohio Coaches of American football from Ohio Players of American football from Columbus, Ohio