Alex Grinch Canned...

[Wild Turkey]

I truly think that USC’s late season coordinator change will be just as successful as Colorado’s OC change.

Riley = Sanders

 

[trojanfan12]

Wish Romeo was around here (ou fan poster).. we used to have some fun debates about Grinch and his fetish for 280lb DL.. We also had a debate about Wylie.. went through his shitastic regime at UT to the excitements of pulled hamstrings galore and shoulder issues that would plague the program.

I think Wiley sucks but I don't think that would hinder Lincoln... if he can let the AD hire his DC. Should be a short list for that position starting with what happens to Dave Aranda.. after that I would see if Jimmy Lake has interests in coming back to coach defense in CFB.

Lincoln issue has always been his love for the offense, he legit got Drew Sanders to flip from ou to Bama because he wanted him to play TE not DE/LB.. guy was an all american at Arkansas at LB..

Yeah, I'm hoping they go after Scalley at Utah, Aranda if he becomes available or maybe someone like Jim Leonhard.

Something interesting to keep an eye on recruiting wise. Madden Riordan is a defensive back recruit for 2026 and he committed less than an hour after Grinch was fired. It will be interesting to see if there are anymore defensive recruits that do the same. Especially some for 2024 or 25.

Obviously, with a 2026 recruit, a lot can happen between now and then, but it's interesting that he committed so quickly after
Grinch was fired.

 

[stakesarehigh]

Have to start somewhere and simplifying schemes so guys are at least in the right spot is a good place to start. Also, simplifying the defense doesn't mean you don't disguise coverages or make changes to adjust to how the offense lines up.

There have been many times this year where USC defenders have been waving their arms looking at the sidelines like they're not sure what to do as the play starts. In virtually every game they've had to burn 2-3 timeouts because they couldn't get lined up properly. Especially in the last several games. Based on some of what has come out, I think Grinch lost his players.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens over the next 2 games. I think the defense will come out inspired and play better than they have been. I just don't know if it will be enough to actually win the game. Also, to be seen is, what happens if/when Oregon breaks off a few chunk plays or a real strong couple of drives...will they fight back or say "here we go again"?

that was an issue in 2018 with OSU also. It's like why do we recruit at an elite level to throw these bullshit coverages out there?

That's his thing for some reason. It would be helpful at a Wazzu where you're trying to make due with lesser talent.

 

[Thiefery]

Yeah, I'm hoping they go after Scalley at Utah, Aranda if he becomes available or maybe someone like Jim Leonhard.

Something interesting to keep an eye on recruiting wise. Madden Riordan is a defensive back recruit for 2026 and he committed less than an hour after Grinch was fired. It will be interesting to see if there are anymore defensive recruits that do the same. Especially some for 2024 or 25.

Obviously, with a 2026 recruit, a lot can happen between now and then, but it's interesting that he committed so quickly after
Grinch was fired.

I would still go after Aranda if he gets canned..guy is a good coach, just not as a HC to sustain success at least for now.. But man.. he can attack the portal with a trojan logo on his windbreaker and turn that defense around.. He actually had some terrific evals at Baylor, problem is... they get cherry picked by other programs before they can sign

 

[duckboy33]

Have to start somewhere and simplifying schemes so guys are at least in the right spot is a good place to start. Also, simplifying the defense doesn't mean you don't disguise coverages or make changes to adjust to how the offense lines up.

There have been many times this year where USC defenders have been waving their arms looking at the sidelines like they're not sure what to do as the play starts. In virtually every game they've had to burn 2-3 timeouts because they couldn't get lined up properly. Especially in the last several games. Based on some of what has come out, I think Grinch lost his players.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens over the next 2 games. I think the defense will come out inspired and play better than they have been. I just don't know if it will be enough to actually win the game. Also, to be seen is, what happens if/when Oregon breaks off a few chunk plays or a real strong couple of drives...will they fight back or say "here we go again"?

I'm not sure what you mean when you say you want to simplify the defense but you also want to disguise blitzes/coverages and make adjustments based on offensive formations, shifts, etc. Simplifying the defense may be the way to go, if getting lined up correctly is the problem but it's not a cure all. There's a reason why most DC want to be able to do those things. You really need to be able to do those things. Granted, if you can't do them well, you have to simplify the defense and trust that your playmakers can make plays. That's probably USC's best bet at this point. I don't think you can make broader changes this late in the year (which was my original point)

 

[trojanfan12]

that was an issue in 2018 with OSU also. It's like why do we recruit at an elite level to throw these bullshit coverages out there?

That's his thing for some reason. It would be helpful at a Wazzu where you're trying to make due with lesser talent.

Yep. I posted earlier in the thread that there have actually been times where the defense has looked good and it's always been when they went with an aggressive, attacking defense. They've had 3 or 4 games where they were down a couple of scores and were able to come back and tie or take the lead. You don't do that without getting stops.

But then he'd go back to "bend but don't break" which then turns into bend and break.

 

[stakesarehigh]

Yep. I posted earlier in the thread that there have actually been times where the defense has looked good and it's always been when they went with an aggressive, attacking defense. They've had 3 or 4 games where they were down a couple of scores and were able to come back and tie or take the lead. You don't do that without getting stops.

But then he'd go back to "bend but don't break" which then turns into bend and break.

For the life of me I can't understand his philosophy. He did take over a really shitty D from OU and he made small improvements but 60th in the country at OU is not something to be proud of

especially when you have a very good offense

 

[trojanfan12]

I would still go after Aranda if he gets canned..guy is a good coach, just not as a HC to sustain success at least for now.. But man.. he can attack the portal with a trojan logo on his windbreaker and turn that defense around.. He actually had some terrific evals at Baylor, problem is... they get cherry picked by other programs before they can sign

I'm sure Aranda will get a call. I like Scalley because they don't get many 4 or 5 star recruits at Utah, but their defense is always good. From what I've seen and heard so far, I trust that Cohen will lead Riley to the right choice or make it herself.

It's funny, I read that Grinch's highest ranked defense at OU was 29th. If USC's defense was anywhere close to that, we're likely at least 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the PAC-12.

 

[trojanfan12]

For the life of me I can't understand his philosophy. He did take over a really shitty D from OU and he made small improvements but 60th in the country at OU is not something to be proud of

especially when you have a very good offense

It's felt to me like he wants to "outsmart/outscheme" everyone instead of playing the defense that best fit his players and just turning his athletes loose.

It almost felt ego driven. Like he wanted to be able to say, the defense did well because he outsmarted the other teams OC. Not saying that's what he was doing as any time I've heard him speak he has come across as a humble guy. But it did have that feel.

 

[CorpRebel]

So he wasn't set on it until 3/4 of the season was gone.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say you want to simplify the defense but you also want to disguise blitzes/coverages and make adjustments based on offensive formations, shifts, etc. Simplifying the defense may be the way to go, if getting lined up correctly is the problem but it's not a cure all. There's a reason why most DC want to be able to do those things. You really need to be able to do those things. Granted, if you can't do them well, you have to simplify the defense and trust that your playmakers can make plays. That's probably USC's best bet at this point. I don't think you can make broader changes this late in the year (which was my original point)

Yeah, way too late to make any wholesale changes. When I say simplify, I mean pick how you want to play and stick to it. It's like he wanted a "bend but don't break" defense, but he has athletes that are better in an aggressive/attacking defense.

Good coaches recognize what they have and adjust their system accordingly. With Grinch, he seemed to want to try to make his athletes fit his system rather than make his system fit his athletes.

 

[Thiefery]

I'm sure Aranda will get a call. I like Scalley because they don't get many 4 or 5 star recruits at Utah, but their defense is always good. From what I've seen and heard so far, I trust that Cohen will lead Riley to the right choice or make it herself.

It's funny, I read that Grinch's highest ranked defense at OU was 29th. If USC's defense was anywhere close to that, we're likely at least 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the PAC-12.

Helton really let the talent on SC go to crap.. especially along the lines, it's a tough ask to expect a complete turnaround in 2 years

 

[duckboy33]

Yeah, way too late to make any wholesale changes. When I say simplify, I mean pick how you want to play and stick to it. It's like he wanted a "bend but don't break" defense, but he has athletes that are better in an aggressive/attacking defense.

Good coaches recognize what they have and adjust their system accordingly. With Grinch, he seemed to want to try to make his athletes fit his system rather than make his system fit his athletes.

Honestly, if you know you have a bad defense and a great offense, you should be aggressive. Try to get some TFL and some turnovers. If you give up big plays, you give up big plays. You are going to give up points no matter what.

What's crazy is USC is one of the worst teams in the nation at giving up explosive plays. You can't take the aggressiveness away from the defense and continue to give up big plays.

 

[duckboy33]

Helton really let the talent on SC go to crap.. especially along the lines, it's a tough ask to expect a complete turnaround in 2 years

I agree with this. However, SC has been so fundamentally unsound that I think changes were necessary. Some things may be a talent issue but they often don't get lined up correctly and are one of the worst tackling teams I've ever seen. I don't think you are this bad at tackling unless it's just something that isn't emphasized by the coaching staff. This is still USC, the talent isn't that bad.

I think this is the right move for USC but I don't think USC's problems will be solved just by hiring a new DC. This is going to require the entire staff to change their approach IMO. They need to emphasize tackling, physicality, etc. And that starts from the top down. I'd also replace the S&C program or totally overhaul how they operate.

 

[SoonerC]

I agree with this. However, SC has been so fundamentally unsound that I think changes were necessary. Some things may be a talent issue but they often don't get lined up correctly and are one of the worst tackling teams I've ever seen. I don't think you are this bad at tackling unless it's just something that isn't emphasized by the coaching staff. This is still USC, the talent isn't that bad.

I think this is the right move for USC but I don't think USC's problems will be solved just by hiring a new DC. This is going to require the entire staff to change their approach IMO. They need to emphasize tackling, physicality, etc. And that starts from the top down. I'd also replace the S&C program or totally overhaul how they operate.

As far as the strength and conditioning thing. While at OU Riley had Jerry Schmidt, widely recognized as one of the best in the country but he is hard core. He left after a year of Riley because he wasn’t allowed to do his job. Venables brought him back right quick and in a hurry.

 

[Thiefery]

As far as the strength and conditioning thing. While at OU Riley had Jerry Schmidt, widely recognized as one of the best in the country but he is hard core. He left after a year of Riley because he wasn’t allowed to do his job. Venables brought him back right quick and in a hurry.

ahhh good ol schmitttttyyyyy. players falling left and right.. but not cause of schmittttyyyyyyy

 

[duckboy33]

As far as the strength and conditioning thing. While at OU Riley had Jerry Schmidt, widely recognized as one of the best in the country but he is hard core. He left after a year of Riley because he wasn’t allowed to do his job. Venables brought him back right quick and in a hurry.

I'm obviously not with the USC program every day but it's pretty obvious that there's no emphasis on tackling, being physical or toughness. I don't think that you can blame Grinch for all of that.

 

[Thiefery]

I'm obviously not with the USC program every day but it's pretty obvious that there's no emphasis on tackling, being physical or toughness. I don't think that you can blame Grinch for all of that.

they need to upgrade the talent.. that alone will make coaches look better than what they actualy might be

 

[SoonerC]

I'm obviously not with the USC program every day but it's pretty obvious that there's no emphasis on tackling, being physical or toughness. I don't think that you can blame Grinch for all of that.

Especially when OU fans feel like they are watching exactly what we saw.

 

[SoonerC]

ahhh good ol schmitttttyyyyy. players falling left and right.. but not cause of schmittttyyyyyyy

Might be interesting to see what his record against Texas is.