Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is reportedly set to interview for the Texas Tech head coaching gig.
Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal was the first to report that Grinch had been linked to the vacancy.
According to people familiar with the search, Tech is preparing to interview two more candidates — Baylor associate head coach and outside linebackers coach Joey McGuire on Thursday and Oklahoma defensive coordinator and safeties coach Alex Grinch on Friday — in the hunt for Matt Wells’ successor.
Talks with more targets could follow.
A source with knowledge of Tech’s process told A-J Media the search is “exceptionally broad, nationwide” at this point, adding that more than 20 candidates have been closely scrutinized and a dozen have expressed interest directly or through agents. – Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sooner Scoop’s Carey Murdock confirmed Grinch was indeed set to interview with Texas Tech according to his sources.
Our @CareyAMurdock confirms that OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will speak to Texas Tech about their head coaching vacancy. More on the Crimson Corner. https://t.co/crBESylhr0
— SoonerScoop.com (@SoonerScoop) November 4, 2021
Since taking over as the Sooners’ defensive coordinator in January of 2019, Grinch has overseen dramatic improvements in Oklahoma’s defense. In his first year in Norman, Grinch’s defense led the Big 12 in total defense in league play, ranked 17th nationally on the season in opponent third-down conversion percentage, 32nd in rushing defense and 38th in total defense.
In 2020, Oklahoma ranked third nationally in 2020 in interceptions, fourth in opponent third-down conversion percentage, seventh in sacks per game, ninth in pass defense efficiency, ninth in rushing defense, 28th in scoring defense and 29th in total defense.
Texas Tech has already interviewed UT-San Antonio coach Jeff Traylor, whose Roadrunners are 8-0 and ranked No. 16, but Traylor and UTSA announced Sunday he had agreed to a 10-year, $28 million contract.
Another popular name many expect to be involved in the Tech coaching search is SMU head coach Sonny Dykes. Dykes sports a 24-7 record since the beginning of 2019 and is the son of former Red Raiders head coach Spike Dykes.
Other names that Williams mentioned could be involved in this Tech head coaching search: Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko, Liberty coach Hugh Freeze, Louisiana-Lafayette coach Billy Napier and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, the former Tech running back.
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