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Reports: Ohio State nearing deal with Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch

Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch speaks with defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa (50) after a game against Stanford in 2017. Grinch was hired Friday as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma. (Young Kwak / Associated Press)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

More reports have emerged about Ohio State’s supposed interest in Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Nearly one week after FootballScoop.com reported that Grinch would leave WSU to become the 10th assistant coach on Urban Meyer’s staff in Columbus, anonymous sources have shared the same information with 247sports.com.

Both reports state the Buckeyes would make Grinch, an Ohio native who played college football at Mount Union, their 10th assistant coach. It’s not clear exactly what role Grinch would serve on Meyer’s OSU staff.

In his third season at WSU, Grinch has transformed the Cougars’ defense. They finished the season ranked 15th nationally in total defense, sixth with 27 turnovers and seventh in tackles-for-loss per game (8.2).

Grinch hasn’t been available to speak with reporters since the week leading up to the Nov. 25 Apple Cup, but is expected to meet with media in San Diego as the Cougars prepare for the Holiday Bowl against Michigan State.