Wisconsin Hiring Former USC Defensive Coordinator as Safeties Coach

Luke Fickell has reportedly found the replacement for the Wisconsin football program’s recently departed assistant coach, Colin Hitschler. 

The Wisconsin Badgers are hiring former USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, according to a report from Colten Bartholomew of BadgerExtra. That information has since been confirmed. 

SOURCES: Wisconsin is expected to hire Alex Grinch as the Badgers safeties coach. The former USC, OU and WAZZU defensive coordinator also coached safeties at Ohio State and Mizzou. @CBartWSJ first reported the move.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 25, 2024

Grinch, an Ohio native, steps into the role of safeties coach vacated by Hitschler, who was considered the Badgers top recruiter and recently joined Alabama’s coaching staff under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. 

Wisconsin Football Hiring Alex Grinch as Safeties Coach

Alex Grinch brings a wealth of experience to the Wisconsin football staff. Having played safety at the perennial NCAA Division III buzzsaw, Mount Union, Grinch was a part of a program that won three national titles.

His journey included stops at USC (2022-23), Oklahoma (2019-21), Ohio State (2018), and Washington State (2015-17), where Grinch served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Grinch is a four-time nominee for the Broyles Award and was even twice named semifinalist (2017 & 2019). Further, Grinch has been an assistant at Missouri, Wyoming, and the University of New Hampshire in various roles, coaching the secondary.

Notably, the 43-year-old assistant has worked under some successful head coaches during his coaching tenure in Lincoln Riley, Mike Leach, Gary Pinkel, and now, Luke Fickell.

Regarding Grinch’s recruiting prowess, the new Wisconsin football safeties coach appears to have strong ties in Georgia and California, according to the 247Sports assistant coach database.

Although Grinch was relieved of his defensive coordinator duties at USC with just two games remaining, the Badgers have landed a coach with a reasonably strong track record. They are bringing him in to coach a talented safeties room that features returning players like Hunter Wohler, Austin Brown, Preston Zachman, Kamo’i Latu, and Braedyn Moore, among others.

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