Alex Grinch will take over as the new defensive coordinator at Washington State and will try to make the Cougars defense as potent as their offense.

Mike Leach dismissed defensive coordinator Mike Breske and outside linebackers coach Paul Volero six weeks ago, following WSU’s season-ending loss to Washington in the Apple Cup.

Grinch comes to WSU from Missouri, where he spent three years as the Tigers safeties coach. Prior to that he spent three seasons as the secondary coach at Wyoming.

While at MU Grinch drew praise from coach Gary Pinkel for his recruiting abilities, particularly in the Southeast. 

Now he will be tasked with improving a WSU defense that ranked No. 97 nationally in total yards allowed. The Cougars struggles on defense were the primary reason WSU backslid to a 3-9 record one year after playing in a bowl game, despite having the country’s No. 7 total offense.

It is not yet known what defensive scheme Grinch will bring to Pullman, although it is believed that one of the criteria used during the search was the use of an attacking defense that utilized blitzes and stunts to create pressure on the quarterback.

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