Alex Grinch makes it easy for USC to fire him: Trojan D implodes in awful first half at Cal
This has to be the end of the line for Alex Grinch.
There’s no going back. There are no second chances left. There is no room for debate or discussion or disagreement at this point.
Grinch has to be gone as USC defensive coordinator after the Trojan defense allowed 28 points in the first 21 minutes of Saturday’s game against the California Golden Bears in Berkeley.
Soft. Unprepared. Powerless. Outclassed. These and similar words properly apply to a USC defense that was shredded by Cal’s star running back, Jaydn Ott, and backup quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Was it ugly? Yeah. Is this also a good thing for USC? Yes it is.
Anything that makes this decision less difficult will move USC into the future with a legitimately good defensive coordinator, or at least, it will improve the odds of that happening.
You can imagine how USC fans and media commentators reacted to this magnificent first-half capitulation by Grinch’s defense.
Here we go:
LOL
anyone want to meet at the 50 yard line to protest Grinch?
— Arrogant Nation✌🏻 (@FightOnRusty) October 28, 2023
NOT HAVING AN EFFECT
USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was INCENSED with his defense after that second Ott TD. Kneels in a sideline huddle and you can see him slapping the turf here. pic.twitter.com/jTjh5LMo9i
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 28, 2023
PILING ON THE POINTS
I don't even know what can be said this week by Lincoln Riley or Alex Grinch about the #USC defense …
It's almost like a Michigan staffer gave Cal OC Jake Spavital the Trojans' defensive calls …
Cal now leads 21-17 as Jaydn Ott scores his third touchdown.
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) October 28, 2023
QUESTIONS
When does Alex Grinch get fired? During the game or after?
— Nico (@USC_Nico) October 28, 2023
NUMBERS
Jaydn Ott has 3 rushing touchdowns on 9 carries for 141 yards and it’s just the beginning of the 2nd QTR … Not sure what Grinch’s plan is to fix this in the second half. Wow #FightOn✌🏽
— Su’a (@iammsuzy) October 28, 2023
WE CAN ONLY HOPE
lmao Cal is going to get Alex Grinch fired at halftime
— carlos: a pac-12 mourner (@equitybruin) October 28, 2023
TARMAC!
Did USC fly to Berkeley? I ask because while this is primarily an Oregon St fan account it is secondarily a Tarmac fan account
— Mid Beavs Tweets (@not_mike_riley) October 28, 2023
SMART TWEET (SERIOUSLY)
Thank you Jadyn Ott for being the nail in Grinch’s coffin ✌️
— Sidelines – USC 🏴☠️ (@SSN_USC) October 28, 2023
HE WON'T
USC fans with Alex Grinch pic.twitter.com/td91aYmczY
— USC GANG (@uscallday1) October 28, 2023
AT LEAST FEWER PEOPLE GOT TO SEE THIS GAME
The Pac-12 network zooms in on Alex Grinch after Cal's latest touchdown. Jaydn Ott's over 100 yards for the quarter.
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) October 28, 2023
JOB MARKET
Alex Grinch Linkedin Challenge pic.twitter.com/pOy7PwNvIR
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) October 28, 2023
2021 WAS WORSE, BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY AWFUL
I don’t know statistically if this is true. But I do not believe the defense at USC was ever this close to being this bad under Clay Helton. Lincoln Riley should be held responsible bc Grinch is terrible at his job. Period. And to not have this fixed in any facet is embarrassing
— The Encino Man says Go Noles (@Thencinoman) October 28, 2023
DON'T WORRY -- IT WILL HAPPEN
If Lincoln doesn’t fire a grinch this year then I’m done with him too
— LA (@LASportsFanatic) October 28, 2023
HAHAHA!
“We didn’t see the Jayden Ott handoff on film.” – Alex Grinch, after 49-45 SC loss to Cal@daviddavidwoods
— Matt Yee (@mcyee) October 28, 2023
ZING!
Guaranteed they easily accessed the field through the USC sideline. Come on Grinch! https://t.co/oteMqUaAhh
— An Untrained Eye (@plh55) October 28, 2023
YUP
Grinch. Gonna. Grinch. https://t.co/Gxhi4swZmS
— USC Psycho (@uscpsycho) October 28, 2023
GENIUS!
I see the strategy. Ott is going to be exhausted by halftime.
— Patrick ✌️ (@mystyphy) October 28, 2023
OKLAHOMA OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Jeff Lebby is just offensive Alex Grinch
— Trevor (Suite Guy) Rogers (@TrevorRogers_1) October 28, 2023
BURN IT ALL DOWN
Tarmac time for Grinch! Hey, if we fire him now, it won't be as embarrassing when Oregon puts up 100 on us. Usc can have the "No DC Coordinator" asterisk excuse for the rest of the games.
— Mike Bicman (@trojanrules) October 28, 2023
BRYSON BARNES IS STRUGGLING VS OREGON
Remember when everyone thought Bryson was good cuz he played good against Alex Grinch? 😂
— Bishop Money (@ute11111) October 28, 2023
MANY ARE SAYING THIS
I can coach USC's defense better than Alex Grinch.
— Havoc (@coachavoc) October 28, 2023
TOTAL MESS
I agree. It looks like Grinch has lost the defense. They aren’t even set on some plays. How many times has Caleb run for his life. It’s bad!
— Anne Schnee (@anschnee) October 28, 2023
SIMPLE TRUTH
Honestly, the Grinch led defense is just plain bad at this level of football
— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) October 28, 2023
PEOPLE NOTICED THIS
I’d protest Alex Grinch too tbh https://t.co/K5qIis8vYx
— Kelsen Adeni (@Kelsenadeni54) October 28, 2023
PLAYING THE CLASSIC HITS
Alex grinch has to have some dirt on him
— rayce (@MilroeSavedMe) October 28, 2023
HYSTERIA
I know this might be the worst defense in FBS history 😂😂. Our saving grace is its rumored grinch is gone after this year.
— John Lopez (@jonnylopez92) October 28, 2023
MEME TIME!
Alex Grinch https://t.co/GivLbauUXT pic.twitter.com/5X4nRparuu
— Jake Hitt (@jake_hitt06) October 28, 2023
CLEVER
The Grinch who stole Troy.
— Disgruntled Bengals Fan (@Legendary_JT) October 28, 2023
GUESS SO
So are USC fans supposed to take the hint and storm the 50 yard line and protest Alex Grinch? #FightOn
— James Curran (@CurranWrites) October 28, 2023
CHUCKLE
Are there bootleg t-shirts in LA of the Dr. Seuss Grinch just pointing at an undefended endzone yet?
— Middle-Aged Dad (@Jeff_Cellers) October 28, 2023
HOT SEAT
Fire Grinch pic.twitter.com/XS7kf1o1ZB
— johnny g (@johnnyxwar) October 28, 2023
EXACTLY WHY GRINCH WILL BE FIRED
Not firing Alex Grinch is going to have far reaching implications beyond this year. Hard to imagine USC being a school top recruits considering for the near future…
— Gregory Koss (@50shadezofgreg) October 28, 2023
ARRESTING TWEET
Alex Grinch still having a job should be an arrestable offense https://t.co/tAizwNmQ0l
— Trip McNeely (@ShhhhLiar) October 28, 2023
