Sooners Hire Alex Grinch As New Defensive Coordinator

The University of Oklahoma confirmed that it has hired Alex Grinch as the Sooners new defensive coordinator.

Grinch spent a season under Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, he garnered a strong reputation for defense during his time as defensive coordinator and secondary coach under Mike Leach at Washington State.

News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins reported earlier Friday that Grinch was expected to become the new defensive boss under head coach Lincoln Riley.

Grinch is replacing interim defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, who took over after the firing of Mike Stoops in mid-season.

"He's been one of the most sought-after guys in the country here the last couple of years, especially for the work that he did at Washington State. Taking that defense where he did in a short amount of time is one of the best coaching jobs in the country over the last several years," said Coach Riley.

"This is a unique opportunity at one of the premier institutions under elite leadership," said Grinch. "Oklahoma is in the top one percent. There's no faking it in this business. You're either it or you're not. Oklahoma is one of those programs."

The Oklahoma Sooners made the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season, eventually losing to Alabama, 45-34, in the national semifinal.