Washington State Football: Top 3 candidates to replace Nick Rolovich

2. Alex Grinch, Oklahoma defensive coordinator

Alex Grinch has become a rising star over the past few seasons as an assistant coach and has even been interviewed for head coaching positions recently. He also has ties to Pullman.

Grinch served as defensive coordinator for Washington State from 2015-17 under Mike Leach. Before his arrival, the Cougar defense ranked 97th in total defense, surrendered an average of 442 yards per game, and allowed 38.6 points per game.

By the end of the 2017 season, Wazzu was ranked 16th in total defense and was giving up 25.8 ppg, a pretty big turnaround from when Grinch started his tenure.

He left WSU for Ohio State in 2018 and helped the Buckeyes win the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl before eventually making his way to Norman, OK to run the Sooner defense for head coach Lincoln Riley. He has had success in improving Oklahoma’s defense, a unit that has been a weakness over the past few years.

Brianna Dix of Sooners Wire had this to say back in February about Grinch’s impact on the defense:

"“With his experience working for an air raid pioneer in Mike Leach at Washington State and a disciple of the same principles with Lincoln Riley at OU, Grinch has revolutionized his defense to keep up with the changing times.” “Grinch has achieved constant pressure from his defensive front in a one-gap, get up styled attack. The secondary’s lack of takeaways in recent years has been a big concern and Grinch has added aggressive defensive backs that fly around in the backfield and attack the football. His secondary has better eye discipline than units have had in years past and track the ball well/read the quarterback’s eyes.”"

Grinch’s defensive prowess could help the Cougars find consistency again, as their defense has not been the same since Grinch left at the end of the 2017 season. Wazzu nation would welcome him back if he wants to return to Pullman.