Wisconsin Badgers

Alex Grinch, regarded as one of the nation's top defensive and secondary coaches, joined the Badgers’ staff as safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator. Grinch is a four-time nominee and two-time semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
 
Grinch joins the Wisconsin staff after two seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at USC.
 
In his first season at USC in 2022, the Trojans led the nation in turnover margin (1.57). This was quite an improvement from 2021 when the Trojans were ranked No. 74 in the nation in the same category (-0.08). The turnover battle was a major focus for the Trojans as they ranked No. 3 in the nation with 19 passes intercepted by 11 different players. USC ranked No. 5 in the nation in turnovers gained with 29. Sophomore defensive back Calen Bullock was named a First Team All-American. Bullock’s team leading 5 interceptions were the most in a single season since Adoree’ Jackson also had 5 in 2016. USC played in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the 2022 season.
 
Grinch, spent the previous 3 seasons (2019-21) at Oklahoma as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach.  The Sooners ranked 24th nationally in rushing defense in 2021 (123.8) and advanced to the Alamo Bowl.  In 2020 while winning the Big 12 title and playing in the Cotton Bowl, OU was third nationally in interceptions (16), fourth in opponent third-down conversion percentage (27.9), seventh in sacks (3.4) and ninth in both pass efficiency defense (112.9) and rushing defense (105.1) while allowing just 21.7 points per game.  Oklahoma was 17th in the nation in opponent third-down conversion percentage (32.2) in 2019 when he was a Broyles Award semifinalist and OU won the Big 12 crown and played in a College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl.  Five Sooners were NFL Draft picks during his tenure:  linebacker Kenneth Murray (first round) and defensive lineman Neville Gallimore (third round) in 2020 and defensive end Ronnie Perkins (third round), cornerback Tre Brown (fourth round) and defensive back Tre Norwood (seventh round) in 2021.
 
Grinch spent 2018 as Ohio State's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach as the Buckeyes won the Big Ten and Rose Bowl.
 
He was Washington State's defensive coordinator and secondary coach for 3 seasons (2015-17).  The 2017 Cougars were 16th nationally in total defense (323.3) and ninth in both passing defense (170.9) and turnovers gained (28) as he was a Broyles Award semifinalist.  WSU played in the 2015 Sun Bowl and 2016 and 2017 Holiday Bowls.
 
Grinch was the safeties coach at Missouri for 3 seasons (2012-14).  The Tigers captured the SEC East Division titles in 2013 and 2014 and won the Cotton Bowl in 2013 and Citrus Bowl in 2014.
 
Before that, he was the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator at Wyoming for 3 seasons (2009-11).  Two of his safeties—Chris Prosinski and Tashaun Gipson—played in the NFL.  The Cowboys played in the New Mexico Bowls in the 2009 and 2011 seasons.
 
His first fulltime coaching assignment was at New Hampshire, where he was the cornerbacks coach for 2 years (2005-06) and then the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator for another 2 seasons (2007-08).  Cornerback Corey Graham was drafted in the NFL's fifth round and played in the NFL.  The Wildcats played in the FCS playoffs each season, including advancing to the quarterfinals 3 times (2005-06-08).
 
He served as an administrative graduate assistant at Missouri in 2002, then was a defensive graduate assistant coach in 2003 and 2004.  The Tigers played in the 2003 Independence Bowl.
 
Grinch was a safety at Mount Union (1998-2001) as the Purple Raiders went 54-1, won three NCAA Division III championships (1998-2000-01) and four Ohio Athletic Conference titles.  He eared All-American third team and Academic All-League first team honors as a 2001 senior.
 
Grinch received his bachelor's degree in sports management from Mount Union in 2002.  He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Missouri in 2004.
 
Grinch was born on May 29, 1980.  He and his wife, Rebecca, have a son, Tyler, and daughter, Corbi.  His uncle is Gary Pinkel, who was the head football coach at Toledo (1991-2000) and Missouri (2001-15).
 
Alex Grinch Profile
Birthdate: May 29, 1980
Birthplace: Grove City, Ohio
High School: Grove City High School
College: Mount Union, 2002 B.S. Sports Management
Family: Wife – Rebecca; Son – Tyler; Daughter – Corbi
 
Coaching Experience
2005-06 New Hampshire (Cornerbacks)
2007-08 New Hampshire (Secondary)
2009-11 Wyoming (Secondary)
2012-14 Missouri (Safeties)
2015-17 Washington State (Defensive Coordinator/Secondary)
2018 Ohio State (Safeties/Co-DC)
2019-21 Oklahoma (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2022-23 USC (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2024-pres. Wisconsin (Safeties/Co-DC)
 
Playing Experience
1998-2001 Mount Union