Lincoln Riley raves about Alex Grinch, how their philosophies mesh together

Alex Grinch has become something of an indispensable assistant for current USC head coach Lincoln Riley. And Riley recent raved about what his defensive coordinator brings to the table.

Since hiring Grinch to be the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma prior to the 2019 season, Riley has been impressed with what he brings to the table. From his Xs and Os chops to how he works with players, Riley had nothing but praise for Grinch and their working relationship.

“I think we both believe in culture first,” Riley said. “I think we both believe, our job to put our guys, schematically, in the best place that we possibly can. Never let scheme, or any of that, outdo the mentality that you want to play with. And from the very first conversation that we ever had, when I was able to hire him a few years ago, throughout, we were in lockstep there. We talk a lot, talk a lot through the season, a lot through the offseason. In the season we talk some scheme but a lot of it is just our approach with the guys and just how we can get them mentally in the right spot and really trying to do our best to shape the attitude that this team plays with and prepares with. And he does a phenomenal job of that. He’s very consistent. He’s intense but fair with the players and he’s got a great way about him. And obviously a tremendous track record of coming in to new places and guys responding and guys responding in a hurry and putting out high-quality defenses.”

When Grinch came to Oklahoma after the 2018 season, his retooled defenses allowed as many as 100 fewer yards per game than the 2018 squad that caused Riley to go get him. And his ability to come in and kickstart a bit of a defensive turnaround was enough for Riley to want Grinch to do the same at USC.

“So, my confidence level that we’ll do it here at ‘SC is as high as it could be,” Riley said. “No other D coordinator that I’d rather be in this situation with. Because his record is proven, and our record together, the way that we work well together is also proven. So with somebody that’s that important a member of your staff, I mean obviously it’s all super important, but I think the fact that we’ve been through this before together and he’s been through this a couple of times individually as a D coordinator, is a good thing for the Trojans.”