USC coach Lincoln Riley announced Sunday that the team have fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after the Trojans fell 52-42 to Washington on Saturday. In a statement from a USC spokesperson, Riley named defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Odom as interim o-defensive coordinators for the rest of the season. Defensive analyst Taylor Mays, a former USC All-American defensive back, has been promoted to an on-field role as safeties coach to replace Grinch.

Grinch had been the subject of criticism surrounding the team’s performance.  After practice last week, Grinch said: “As a coach, you don’t deflect. I couldn’t be more disappointed in myself and the inability to get the guys to be more sound.”

Riley stood by Grinch and his efforts throughout the season, but after Saturday night’s 52-42 loss to Washington (USC’s third defeat in four games), Riley said: “I know as a head coach, it all falls under my responsibility ultimately. I don’t shy away from that and never have, but there are times and places for those discussions and those will happen at the appropriate time.”

Grinch has been with USC less than two years; his defense has allowed 44.2 points per game over the last six contests. He  joined coach Lincoln Riley, moving from Oklahoma to USC after the 2021 season. After a disappointing 2023 campaign, the Trojans’ defense has regressed, falling 14 spots to No. 119 in total defense and nearly 30 spots to No. 121 in scoring defense. The Trojans went 3-3 over the stretch resulting in first three-loss regular season of Riley’s career.

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