Washington State’s Alex Grinch will reportedly join Ohio State’s coaching staff

As of next Tuesday, Jan. 9—the day after the 2017 season officially ends— the NCAA will allow FBS programs to add a 10th assistant coach to their staffs, and, as was rumored last month, FOX’s Bruce Feldman is reporting that Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will be taking Ohio State’s extra slot.

Grinch is from Grove City, Ohio and won three NCAA Division III National Championships as a member of the storied Mount Union football program, so joining the Buckeye staff will be a homecoming for the coach.

In his time leading the Cougars’ defense, Grinch has had success turning the unit around and helping Wazzu become a competitor in the Pac-12. Since taking over as DC in 2015, WSU has gone from being outside of the top-100 in both scoring and yards per play to being in the top-50 for both, including finishing 16th in total defense this season.

In addition to turning around entire defenses, Grinch has also been instrumental in developing top-line defenders, including All-Pac-12 DBs Shalom Luani and Jalen Thompson.

If these reports do prove to be correct, the Buckeyes are adding an incredibly talented coach-on-the-rise to Greg Schiano’s defensive staff.