/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58257235/usa_today_10449664.0.jpg)
Ohio State officially announced the hiring of former Cougar defensive coordinator Alex Grinch on Monday. While it is unknown what his title will be for the Buckeyes, there have been reports that Grinch will take the roll of co-defensive coordinator and will work alongside Greg Schiano. Grinch will be the 10th assistant that the NCAA recently allowed teams to have.
Grinch came to the Cougars in 2015 from Missouri and has since helped turn around a defense that ranked top-10 in turnovers forced, passing touchdowns allowed, and pass defense efficiency last season. In the three seasons he was with Washington State he was listed as a finalist for the Broyles Award which is given yearly to the nations top assistant.
In the year before adding Grinch to the staff, the Cougars had forced just eight turnovers. In the three years since they have tallied up 24, 23, and 28 turnovers each year. Incorporating the Speed D mantra, Grinch has become one of the most sought after assistants in all of college football.
Thank you @CoachGrinch for all of your contributions to WSU! It was a great three years with 3 bowl games, a 26-13 overall record, and a 19-8 record in Pac 12 play! Best of luck at Ohio State...the #SpeedD will live on in Pullman, WA and continue what you started! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/4m2R2XshIe
— WSU Cougar Football (@wsucougfb) January 8, 2018
This announcement was not a surprise for either team as Grinch has been rumored to be leaving Pullman for a few weeks now. Originally from Ohio, Grinch had been testing the waters during the Cougars bowl prep and was absent for some of those practices.
This announcement came on the same day that Mike Leach announced the hiring of former Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys. For more information regarding that hire, check out this piece by PJ Kendall.
*****
Football:
Ohio State confirms hiring of Wazzu DC Alex Grinch – CollegeFootballTalk
After a week or more of speculation, Ohio State confirmed Monday afternoon that Alex Grinch has been hired by Urban Meyer as his 10th assistant. Per the school’s release, his specific responsibilities will be announced at a later date.
Washington State reportedly fills defensive coordinator vacancy with Tracy Claeys – CollegeFootballTalk
On the day Ohio State finally made the addition of Alex Grinch to the coaching staff official in Columbus, Mike Leach wasted little time in getting a replacement in Pullman, Washington. Washington State has reportedly hired former Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys to fill the role as defensive coordinator.
Ohio State announces hire of Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch | The Spokesman-Review
Ohio State on Monday made Alex Grinch’s hire official, announcing in a press release the Cougars’ DC would be joining Urban Meyer’s staff in Columbus. Grinch’s official title has yet to be determined and “his specific responsibilities will be announced at a later date,” according to the press release.
Former Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys tapped by Washington State to become defensive coordinator | The Spokesman-Review
Tracy Claeys, the ex-Minnesota coach whose team beat the Cougars in the 2016 Holiday Bowl thanks to spectular play on the defensive side of the ball, was hired Monday evening as WSU’s new defensive coordinator.
Alex Grinch Joins Ohio State Coaching Staff :: The Ohio State University :: Official Athletic Site
defensive coordinator and secondary coach the past three years at Washington State University and a Broyles Award semifinalist this season, has joined the Ohio State football coaching staff. His specific responsibilities will be announced at a later date.
Basketball:
WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
For the first time in her career, super sophomore Borislava Hristova was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week as announced by the conference office Monday morning.