Despite serving as Lincoln Riley’s right-hand man for the last five years, Alex Grinch was dismissed as USC’s defensive coordinator last November after a string of terrible performances that knocked the team out of conference title contention. But it appears he’s going to land on his feet just fine.
According to college football insider Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox, Grinch is reportedly being hired by Wisconsin to serve as their new safeties coach. Grinch has extensive experience working as a safeties coach at USC, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Missouri, while also coaching other parts of the secondary throughout his 20-plus years in coaching.
“SOURCES: Wisconsin is expected to hire Alex Grinch as the Badgers safeties coach. The former USC, OU and WAZZU defensive coordinator also coached safeties at Ohio State and Mizzou. @CBartWSJ first reported the move,” Feldman wrote.
Working with the secondary exclusively might be just the change of pace that Grinch needs. After how bad the Trojans defense was last season, staying out of the spotlight could only benefit him.
Nevertheless, fans are still mocking the Badgers for bringing him into the fold at all:
SOURCES: Wisconsin is expected to hire Alex Grinch as the Badgers safeties coach. The former USC, OU and WAZZU defensive coordinator also coached safeties at Ohio State and Mizzou. @CBartWSJ first reported the move.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 25, 2024
“Those poor safeties man they don’t deserve this,” one user replied.
“Wisconsin….what are you doing…” wrote another.
“Wisconsin about to have the most over hyped under performing safeties in the country,” a third wrote.
Was this a good hire by Wisconsin?