https://www.espn.com/college-footba...ew-coordinators-expect-oklahoma-michigan-more
Alex Grinch, Oklahoma
Position: Defensive coordinator/safeties coach
Previous job: Co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach, Ohio State
There are two undeniable truths about OU's program under Lincoln Riley. The first is that the offense will be nationally elite, regardless of the quarterback. The second is that the once-decorated Sooners' defense has lost its edge.
Oklahoma couldn't get beyond the CFP semifinals the past two years, despite record-setting, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who both went No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. The Sooners allowed a combined 99 points in losses to Georgia and Alabama and a smidge under 8 yards per play. OU finished 58th in defensive efficiency in 2017 -- the other three playoff participants occupied the top three spots -- and tumbled to 92nd last season. Playing in the Big 12 impacts the numbers, but the Sooners simply haven't been good enough.
"Their personnel is down," a Big 12 offensive assistant said of Oklahoma. "If you're 50th in the country in defense, they'll think you're a genius."
Grinch enters a situation that couldn't get much worse, but he faces incredible pressure. His work with the defense could mean the difference between a run of entertaining offense and Big 12 titles and one that includes the school's first national title since 2000.
"No one made me come here," Grinch told ESPN. "I had a job, and I signed up for the expectations, and they're very, very high. So embrace it and work every day to achieve it."
play
3:47
Oklahoma's new emphasis on defense
Trevor Matich visits Norman, Oklahoma to learn about the Sooners' new emphasis on defense.
Grinch comes to OU after an odd year in Columbus, where the Buckeyes' defense regressed, especially in the back end. But Ohio State's problems went beyond Grinch, whose work as Washington State's defensive coordinator (2015-2017) is a better gauge of his ability.
The Cougars' defense made huge strides, going from 99th in yards allowed in 2014 (the year before Grinch arrived) to 16th in Grinch's final season. There were even bigger spikes in WSU's pass defense and turnovers forced. Grinch engineered it all while complementing Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, the system in which Riley cut his teeth and one that isn't friendly to defensive coordinators on either sideline.
"He's been one of those coordinators where you have to play good defense while they're throwing the ball," a Big 12 coach said. "He's been with Leach, so he's not going to complain about it. He's going to know what it is and go do it, so that's half the battle."
The biggest key to having success alongside offenses like Leach's and Riley's, according to Grinch, is not using them as an excuse.
"As long as you have that over your head and are willing to grab onto it like a safety net," Grinch said, "it's very difficult to establish any standards for yourself on your side of the ball."
Grinch's Washington State experience also should help him with Oklahoma's personnel. Coaches who know Grinch say the talent he inherited with the Sooners surprised him, especially coming from Ohio State. Riley defended OU's roster at Big 12 media days, saying, "You're not going to take the job if you don't think there's good players there. Trust me, he had his pick." But Riley noted that Grinch's scheme produces effective players "even if you don't have an unbelievable first-round talent at a position."
Washington State never dominates in recruiting but had All-American lineman Hercules Mata'afa and other standouts during Grinch's tenure.
Grinch is a strong tactician, using a hybrid 3-4 base, and has strong coaching roots as the nephew of former Missouri coach Gary Pinkel and an alum of Division III coaching factory Mount Union. He noted the alignment he felt with Riley as a big draw to OU, saying, "Coach Riley wanted me to not just call defensive plays but run the defense that I believe in."
But Grinch's biggest impact at OU could be psychological. Linebacker Kenneth Murray said Grinch has instilled a "dog mentality" in the Sooners' defense.
"We're going to go out there and try to make the offense play on our terms," Murray said.
Eliminating excuses has been Grinch's focus from his first meeting with the defense. He remains respectful of OU's recent success but refuses to "hang our hat" on outscoring opponents every week.
"There always can be an excuse. It's low-hanging fruit," he said. "The coaches can say the players aren't any good, and the players can say the coaches aren't any good. Who cares? My point to them is even if we're right, where does that leave us? You're only judged by results. Regardless of what your excuse might be, it doesn't change the result."
Alex Grinch, Oklahoma
Position: Defensive coordinator/safeties coach
Previous job: Co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach, Ohio State
There are two undeniable truths about OU's program under Lincoln Riley. The first is that the offense will be nationally elite, regardless of the quarterback. The second is that the once-decorated Sooners' defense has lost its edge.
Oklahoma couldn't get beyond the CFP semifinals the past two years, despite record-setting, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who both went No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. The Sooners allowed a combined 99 points in losses to Georgia and Alabama and a smidge under 8 yards per play. OU finished 58th in defensive efficiency in 2017 -- the other three playoff participants occupied the top three spots -- and tumbled to 92nd last season. Playing in the Big 12 impacts the numbers, but the Sooners simply haven't been good enough.
"Their personnel is down," a Big 12 offensive assistant said of Oklahoma. "If you're 50th in the country in defense, they'll think you're a genius."
Grinch enters a situation that couldn't get much worse, but he faces incredible pressure. His work with the defense could mean the difference between a run of entertaining offense and Big 12 titles and one that includes the school's first national title since 2000.
"No one made me come here," Grinch told ESPN. "I had a job, and I signed up for the expectations, and they're very, very high. So embrace it and work every day to achieve it."
play
3:47
Oklahoma's new emphasis on defense
Trevor Matich visits Norman, Oklahoma to learn about the Sooners' new emphasis on defense.
Grinch comes to OU after an odd year in Columbus, where the Buckeyes' defense regressed, especially in the back end. But Ohio State's problems went beyond Grinch, whose work as Washington State's defensive coordinator (2015-2017) is a better gauge of his ability.
The Cougars' defense made huge strides, going from 99th in yards allowed in 2014 (the year before Grinch arrived) to 16th in Grinch's final season. There were even bigger spikes in WSU's pass defense and turnovers forced. Grinch engineered it all while complementing Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, the system in which Riley cut his teeth and one that isn't friendly to defensive coordinators on either sideline.
"He's been one of those coordinators where you have to play good defense while they're throwing the ball," a Big 12 coach said. "He's been with Leach, so he's not going to complain about it. He's going to know what it is and go do it, so that's half the battle."
The biggest key to having success alongside offenses like Leach's and Riley's, according to Grinch, is not using them as an excuse.
"As long as you have that over your head and are willing to grab onto it like a safety net," Grinch said, "it's very difficult to establish any standards for yourself on your side of the ball."
Grinch's Washington State experience also should help him with Oklahoma's personnel. Coaches who know Grinch say the talent he inherited with the Sooners surprised him, especially coming from Ohio State. Riley defended OU's roster at Big 12 media days, saying, "You're not going to take the job if you don't think there's good players there. Trust me, he had his pick." But Riley noted that Grinch's scheme produces effective players "even if you don't have an unbelievable first-round talent at a position."
Washington State never dominates in recruiting but had All-American lineman Hercules Mata'afa and other standouts during Grinch's tenure.
Grinch is a strong tactician, using a hybrid 3-4 base, and has strong coaching roots as the nephew of former Missouri coach Gary Pinkel and an alum of Division III coaching factory Mount Union. He noted the alignment he felt with Riley as a big draw to OU, saying, "Coach Riley wanted me to not just call defensive plays but run the defense that I believe in."
But Grinch's biggest impact at OU could be psychological. Linebacker Kenneth Murray said Grinch has instilled a "dog mentality" in the Sooners' defense.
"We're going to go out there and try to make the offense play on our terms," Murray said.
Eliminating excuses has been Grinch's focus from his first meeting with the defense. He remains respectful of OU's recent success but refuses to "hang our hat" on outscoring opponents every week.
"There always can be an excuse. It's low-hanging fruit," he said. "The coaches can say the players aren't any good, and the players can say the coaches aren't any good. Who cares? My point to them is even if we're right, where does that leave us? You're only judged by results. Regardless of what your excuse might be, it doesn't change the result."
