USC Fires Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch Following Poor Season Performance

Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Odom to serve as interim co-defensive coordinators following Grinch's dismissal after USC's defense allowed an average of 34.5 points per game this season.

USC Coach Lincoln Riley has dismissed defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after a poor defensive performance this season, with USC's defense permitting an alarming average of 34.5 points per game.
The decision comes following a 52-42 loss to Washington, marking the team’s third loss in the past four games and a spike in criticism towards the performance of Grinch's defense unit.
USC is currently ranked low in many defensive measures, with placements at No. 109 in yards per play allowed, No. 126 in red zone defense, and No. 132 in plays of 20-plus yards allowed.
Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Odom will step up as interim co-defensive coordinators following Grinch's dismissal, while USC also takes steps to replace Grinch with a new defensive coordinator.
Possible replacements for Grinch include Jim Leonhard from Illinois, D'Anton Lynn from UCLA, Tony White from Nebraska, among others, who have had impressive defensive performances at their respective schools.
This disappointing season follows a notably poor performance last year, when USC finished the year by conceding 47 points to Utah in the Pac-12 title game loss and 46 points to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl loss.