USC’s lack of progress on defense compelled Lincoln Riley to fire coordinator Alex Grinch
Associated PressThe AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! LOS ANGELES — Lincoln Riley said he hadn’t seen much progress or improvement from Southern California’s defense since the previous November, and that’s why he finally decided to fire coordinator Alex Grinch. “We simply weren’t making the progress that we all expected we would make,” Riley said after the Trojans’ first practice to prepare for their trip to No. The key is getting that next person in here, but the key is also everyone has got to own their part in it going forward.” Riley strongly intimated that he didn’t want to make this move during the season, but the Trojans’ last several defensive performances made it clear something needed to change if they wanted any shot at finishing strong. I knew it was a decision that was the right decision at this time and point, but it certainly didn’t make it easy.” Riley appointed defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom as co-coordinators for the rest of the season, although Riley wouldn’t say who will call USC’s defensive signals.