On Sunday, USC coach Lincoln Riley made the move Trojans fans had been clamoring for all season, firing defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after a 52-42 loss to Washington, the team’s third loss in the last four games. The Trojans’ defense struggled greatly in Riley’s two seasons at USC, and the unit was plagued by poor tackling and coverage breakdowns. USC ranks 109th in yards allowed per play, 126th in red zone defense and 132nd in plays with more than 20 yards allowed. In the last six games, 42 points per game have been allowed.
Grinch had done very well in his previous stint in the Pac-12 as Mike Leach’s defensive coordinator at Washington State before being hired by Riley at Oklahoma to fix the Sooners’ terrible defense. Grinch led OU to make some progress, but it was far from an elite group. Working as an Air Attack Defense Coordinator comes with its challenges, as we detailed this summer. Several veteran defensive coordinators who worked in Air Raid programs say it’s no coincidence that many of the nation’s best statistical defenses happen to be at Big Ten programs with disappointing offenses, most notably Iowa.
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Where will USC turn for its next defensive coordinator?
Jim Leonhard, Illinois, senior defense analyst
The biggest name USC could target is a coach who isn’t working as defensive coordinator this year. Leonhard’s next step will be fascinating. The former Wisconsin star did a great job leading the defense at his alma mater, but after becoming interim head coach last season, he landed on Bret Bielema’s Illinois staff. The 41-year-old had a defense that ranked in Wisconsin’s top five in total defense four times and in the top 10 in scoring defense in the country. He also helped develop a lot of talent there. If Riley could bring him to USC, it would be a commitment given his track record, although he would be operating in a completely different offensive system.
D’Anton Lynn, UCLA, defensive coordinator
One option Riley will likely consider is across town. Lynn, the Bruins’ 33-year-old rookie defensive coordinator, has transformed a group that ranked 72nd last year into a defense that ranked 9th nationally. Thanks to a talented defensive front, UCLA leads the Pac-12 in run defense and sacks and is No. 6 in red zone touchdown defense. It also allows the fewest plays over 20 yards (22) in the Pac-12 – 40 fewer than the Trojans. Would the Penn State graduate make the move? It’s unknown, but the former NFL assistant’s stock has risen significantly since his arrival in Westwood.
Tony White, Nebraska, defensive coordinator
There’s another man with UCLA roots who could be in play. White is a former Bruins linebacker who learned as a young coach under Rocky Long. The 44-year-old had a strong first season in Lincoln, converting the Big Ten’s 13th-ranked run defense before becoming the No. 2 prospect this season. The Huskers rose from No. 10 in sacks to No. 2. They also moved from No. 11 in red zone touchdown percentage defense to No. 4. At Syracuse, his defense ranked in the top 25 in 2021 and 2022 (and No. 2 and No. 4 in the ACC in those years) before joining Matt Rhule at Nebraska. He spent two seasons coaching in the Pac-12 at Arizona State, where he significantly improved the Sun Devils in 2018 and 2019. This appears to be an option USC should consider.
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Tony Gibson, NC State, defensive coordinator
Gibson knows all about life as the defensive coordinator at Air Raid from his time with current Houston coach Dana Holgorsen. Gibson, 51, is really good and could be in line for a Group 5 head coaching job this winter. NC State is No. 9 in third-down defense this season, No. 5 in interceptions and No. 40 in the nation in yards allowed per game. NC State was No. 22 last year and No. 16 in 2021. Last year, the Wolfpack D ranked first in the ACC in scoring defense, third in total defense, third in rushing defense, first in in defensive passing efficiency and first in interceptions. He’s very well paid at NC State, making $1.3 million a year, but he’s proven to be one of the best in the business.
Tim DeRuyter, Texas Tech, defensive coordinator
The Southern California native knows the Pac-12 well from his time at Oregon and Cal. Its defense is No. 3 in the Big 12 in yards allowed per play and No. 44 in the country. In 2022, the Red Raiders allowed just 29.2 points per game in DeRuyter’s debut season, which was the first time since 2009 that Texas Tech gave up fewer than 30 points.
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Joe Rossi, Minnesota, defensive coordinator
Rossi has been great for the Gophers since taking over a defense that was ranked 86th nationally in 2018. They have been ranked in the top 10 for the last two years. The 44-year-old from Pittsburgh has been consistently good. Since 2020, only one opponent (UNC this year) has averaged more than 500 yards in a game. The Gophers rank 39th in total defense this season. They are No. 24 in run defense and No. 11 in turnovers scored. In three of the last four seasons, the Gophers have ranked in the top 10 in fewest plays over 20 yards allowed.
Joe Harasymiak, Rutgers, defensive coordinator
Another Big Ten option to look at is Harasymiak. The Scarlet Knights have improved greatly this season, ranking 10th nationally in total defense and second in fewest plays of 20 yards or more (behind Iowa). In 2022, Rutgers had its best statistical season in a decade. The 37-year-old also did an excellent job as head coach at Maine before taking an assistant job at Minnesota under Rossi.
Don’t count on:
Morgan Scalley, Utah, defensive coordinator
Scalley has consistently shown great defense, but I don’t think he’s leaving the Utes to go to USC at this point. The 44-year-old Salt Lake City native and former Utes star will likely be Utah’s next head coach once Kyle Whittingham decides he’s done coaching.
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Zach Arnett, Mississippi State, head coach
In his three seasons as Mike Leach’s defensive coordinator, he finished top-five in the SEC in total defense, rushing defense and takeaways. The 37-year-old spent nearly a decade at San Diego State University, climbing the coaching ladder under Rocky Long. Arnett has been the head coach in Starkville for less than a season and his team is 4-5. He has an uphill climb to reach bowl eligibility, and he works for an athletic director who didn’t hire him and who, I hear, might be looking for a man of his own.
(Photo by Jim Leonhard: John Fisher/Getty Images)