Washington State hires Missouri safeties coach Alex Grinch as D-coordinator
More than a month after Washington State fired Mike Breske, the Cougars have hired his replacement.
The program announced Wednesday that head coach Mike Leach reached into the SEC and hired Missouri safeties coach Alex Grinch to lead the Cougars’ defense.
Grinch, who has never been a defensive coordinator at any level, coached safeties at Mizzou under Gary Pinkel, his father-in-law, for the past three seasons and developed a reputation for being one of the better recruiters on Pinkel’s staff.
“We are excited to have Alex part of our football family,” Leach said. “He is a passionate, tireless worker who brings tremendous excitement and aggression to our team. He has a track record of developing young talent which will be of great benefit to our defense.
“He is highly regarded in the coaching field and has a very bright future. We are very fortunate to have Alex at Washington State University.”
Before arriving at Missouri, Grinch coached defensive backs at Wyoming from 2009-2011, at New Hampshire from 2005-2008 and was a graduate assistant with the Tigers from 2002-2004.
“I’m excited to join the Washington State football program and thank Coach Leach for the opportunity,” said Grinch. “It’s time to get to work to produce a defense that Cougar fans can be proud of.”
Grinch will now have the task of improving a Washington State defense that was No. 97 nationally in total defense (442.3 ypg) and No. 114 nationally in scoring defense (38.6 ppg). Additionally, the Cougars forced only eight turnovers for the entire season.
The Cougars took a step back and finished 3-9 in Leach’s third season with the program after reaching a bowl game in 2013.
Grinch is the second defensive coach to leave Missouri in this offseason. Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel left to accept the head-coaching job at Missouri State and Pinkel hired Barry Odom to replace him.
For more Washington State news, visit WazzouWatch.com.
For more Missouri news, visit PowerMizzou.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
