A recurring issue emerged in recent years for Oklahoma- the team’s defense keeping the Sooners from winning the ultimate goal, a National Championship. Enter, Alex Grinch.
Grinch was brought in to transform the defense into a formidable unit to match Lincoln Riley’s highly-praised offense. Not only did he succeed, but he did it in a short time span. After working with Air Raid pioneer Mike Leach at Washington State (2015-2017) as the school’s defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach, Grinch joined one of his disciples at Oklahoma- Riley. His first year on staff, he turned the defense around.
“The Oklahoma defensive coordinator transformed the nation’s 114th-rated defense to a top 40-unit in his first year and a top-30 defense in 2020. He was reportedly a candidate for the head coaching jobs at Arizona and UCF in December and January. Before that, Washington State apparently showed interest in January 2020.” (247sports reported on Alex Grinch)
Given his impressive resume throughout his college career trajectory, it is no surprise that teams will likely be calling his name for vacant head coaching roles following the 2021 season. Grinch has thrived in his coordinator position under offensive-minded head coaches, and in all likelihood he will be snagged soon.
In the game of football it is often said that ‘defense wins championships’ and Grinch puts his players on track to do so. In one year’s time, he proved doubters wrong and revamped OU’s achilles heel.
In 2020, Grinch’s defense racked up 16 interceptions for 215 yards returned, 701 total tackles, 81 tackles for loss, 37.0 sacks, 47 pass breakups, and 52 quarterback hurries. One of the most notable performances being the rematch against Iowa State. The defense accumulated three interceptions, three sacks, five tackles for loss, and six QB hurries as the Big 12’s second-best defense.
Grinch’s defensive unit are fierce competitors that attack the football. In previous years, the defense has struggled to get turnovers but Grinch prioritized getting defensive backs that fight for the football and track the ball well. The secondary’s eye discipline has improved, as well as the front’s pass rush ability.
In his one-gap approach, the defensive line created constant penetration with an attack mentality. The front consistently won the battle in the trenches to collapse the pocket and when needed, the defensive backs were physical enough to make tackles in the box to prevent rushers from breaking to the second level.
Grinch is a coordinator to keep an eye on in 2021. His defense will be ready to hunt and with a balanced team, Oklahoma is slated for a playoff berth. For their defensive coordinator, a likely promotion.