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Alex Grinch did an incredible job improving WSU’s defense last year and is already starting to get some buzz as one of the hot assistants in the Pac-12. After four different coordinators from the conference got head coaching jobs last year, ESPN’s Kevin Gemmell put together a list of the potential next ones to be receiving promotions. WSU’s defensive wizard made the list of six Pac-12 coordinators to watch for this year.
This is what ESPN had to say about Grinch.
The one-year turnaround with the Cougars' defense was staggering. Under Grinch's watch, they shaved nearly 11 points per game off their scoring defense (38.6 in 2014 vs. 27.7 last season) and went from the league’s No. 10 red zone defense to No. 2. They also forced 13 more turnovers in 2015 (24) than the previous year (11). He’s already had some success in the SEC. Add stopping Pac-12 offenses to his resume and teams will come calling sooner than later.
Should Cougar fans being worried about losing Grinch anytime soon? It’s hard to imagine he would already have head coaching offers after this season considering it’s only his second year as a coordinator. He’s only 35 years old and is a year removed from being a Safeties coach. Most of the coaches on this list are more established. However, if the defense is absolutely dominant next year he could become the young wunderkind of the Pac-12 and anything is possible. I think Cougar fans would be happy with that outcome.
There is always the worry that a national power may try to poach him as a coordinator, but the good news is that he is under a three-year contract that includes a buyout. He is also given complete free reign over the defense by Mike Leach, which you don’t get at most programs. No matter what happens in the future, the Cougar nation is lucky to have Coach Grinch running our defense.
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