Alex Grinch might have gotten himself fired at USC by admitting he didn’t watch Utah game film
It is bad enough that USC’s defense turned a backup quarterback, Bryson Barnes, into a star for one night in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Barnes looked like Vince Young or Michael Vick on his 26-yard run that put Utah in position to kick an easy field goal on the final play and beat the Trojans, 34-32. A Utah offense that struggled to score 20 points in many of its games this season scored 34 on the road against USC.
The game should have essentially ended Alex Grinch’s future with the Trojans. There is no doubt that as a point of merit, Grinch should be fired after the regular season.
However, just in case Lincoln Riley is unsure about all of this — just in case he wants to find a way to justify keeping Grinch on his staff — he and USC athletic director Jennifer Cohen might have been given enough evidence to admit they don’t have any other choice.
Grinch might have fired himself. He might have made it easy for Riley and Cohen to finally act.
We’ll tell you why below and then go through some of the reactions to this instance of supreme incompetence from USC’s defensive coordinator:
GRINCH'S DIRECT QUOTE
Alex Grinch, when asked today about the Braylan Shelby-on-Sione Vaki wheel routes v. Utah:
“Third play of the game, you’re trying to be aggressive. There’s no justification for doing it, other than, a play that hasn’t shown up on video.” https://t.co/z8H0FEkmrK
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 25, 2023
GRINCH CAUGHT OFF GUARD
Alex Grinch said USC had trouble with the Sione Vaki wheel routes against Utah because they hadn't seen that on film.
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) October 25, 2023
EVIDENCE REFUTING GRINCH'S CLAIM
lol https://t.co/e7PabMgjyw pic.twitter.com/O0JUXwJgmE
— The Trojan Blade (@TheTrojanBlade) October 25, 2023
REACTIONS POUR IN
The moment I saw that clip of Alex Grinch saying the Vaki plays vs. Shelby weren’t on tape, I knew that someone would find video of Utah running that same play last week. https://t.co/68iuXC6nVP
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) October 25, 2023
GOOD POINT
I mean, Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch need to learn about Simple Truthful Statements and how to talk with the media cause they're always stepping in it.
You don't have to tell all of the truth to still say something true. https://t.co/2lajdFM8Ff
— John Williams (@john9williams) October 25, 2023
OUCH
The most diabolical thing Lincoln Riley could pull would be bolting to the NFL and leaving USC fans with interim-head coach Alex Grinch.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 22, 2023
NUMBERS
Alex Grinch’s defense allowed 485 yards, 34 points, and 22 first downs to a walk-on quarterback and a safety playing running back to get eliminated from playoff contention. Delicious.
— B1G_Ryan (@B1G_Ryan) October 22, 2023
WHOOPSIE!
I don't mean to pile on here, but apparently Vaki ran a wheel route against Cal that was incomplete.https://t.co/B4cy8moyrZ
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) October 25, 2023
THIS IS ALSO TRUE
It’s man defense, why would you need to see a wheel route on film? It’s not like it was double reverse pass!! SMH!! 😂
— Lamar Mickey, Ed.D. (@ballerselite) October 25, 2023
HE HAS SOME JOB HUNTING TO DO
Column: Alex Grinch has some explaining to dohttps://t.co/oPYvMBOztu
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) October 25, 2023
MEMORIES
This reminds me of Justin Wilcox explaining who was covering Christian McCaffrey 🤷🏽♂️
— Howard Mationg (@howiemationg) October 25, 2023
WE ARE ALL WONDERING THE SAME THING
Does Grinch do anything? Just hang around the facility & eat donuts? How can that dude be so terrible & still be employed? Utah ran the EXACT play v Cal last week.
— WrigleyvilleUte (@jhallito) October 25, 2023
COACHING 101
Just bcz they haven’t seen it , means they’re not going to run it ? How long hav u been coaching? Jeez . Prepare prepare prepare
— Curt Tsujimoto (@ctsuj) October 25, 2023
PAINFUL
Alex Grinch when someone puts on game film: pic.twitter.com/4kUVxsVawA
— Thee DC Latino | 🍩🐝 (@DC_Latino_) October 25, 2023
LOL
Call Michigan… They will get you set up with a remote recording plan
— Buck (@turbineseaplane) October 25, 2023