USC fans call for Alex Grinch to be fired after Trojans suffer third loss of the year
USC fans appear to be fed up with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
In a game USC needed to win in order to remain in the hunt for the Pac-12 title, the Trojans gave up 52 points at home in a loss. That came a week after giving up 49 points to Cal, which came two weeks after giving up 48 to Notre Dame. USC has given up more than 40 points in five of its last six games.
And Washington did its damage on the ground. The Huskies entered Saturday’s matchup with USC averaging 102.3 yards per game on the ground — 119th nationally. Hawaii was the only FBS team in the country using the run less than UW.
But Dillon Johnson rumbled for 256 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. He’d previously topped 100 yards in a game only once. As a team, UW ran for 316 yards and five scores at 7.5 a carry.
Grinch has been a controversial figure at USC for almost his entire tenure. At every turn, coach Lincoln Riley has expressed confidence in his ability to coordinate the defense. But calls for his dismissal have grown as loud as they’ve been. During and after Saturday’s loss to Washington, “Fire Grinch” was trending on social media.
Here’s some of the reaction.
#USC needed this game. Giving up 52 at home? No way to sugarcoat this one. Will be interesting to hear with Lincoln Riley has to say.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 5, 2023
USC defense attacking Washington ball carriers pic.twitter.com/RBZtlGEFVd
— Paul M Winters (@RealPaulWinters) November 5, 2023
I played defense a long time. My entire career. I’ve played in almost every defensive scheme or system you can come up with at 3 different positions D1 & Pro… There have been times tonight I’m absolutely lost on some of the coverages and gap responsibilities of these players 😵💫 https://t.co/FWCJyY8UHi
— Su’a (@iammsuzy) November 5, 2023
Usc has guys out of place all the time. Every week time and time again , same issue.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 5, 2023
USC's school president needs to do what Iowa's Beth Goetz did and tell Lincoln Riley, "If you don't fire Alex Grinch by Monday, I will."
This is embarrassing.
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) November 5, 2023
Lincoln Riley retaining Alex Grinch after the 2022 season is going to go down as the worst coaching personnel decision in #USC history.
And this is after USC hired and then retained Clay Helton after the 2018/2019/2020 seasons.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 5, 2023
I do not take firing coaches lightly, and all that comes with that decision when it comes to uprooting families.
But Lincoln Riley has to address the Alex Grinch situation. He just has to. This cannot go on any longer.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 5, 2023
Alex Grinch defense the last consecutive weeks.
Colorado 41 points
Arizona 41 points
Notre Dame 48 points
Utah 34 points
Cal 49 points
Washington 52 points— jbook™ (@jbook37) November 5, 2023
Alex Grinch is the worst division 1 coach. Caleb Williams college career wasted because Lincoln Riley doesn’t have enough balls to fire Alex Grinch.
Makes me speechless.
— Nico (@USC_Nico) November 5, 2023
Grinch should be gone tonight. This is absolutely atrocious
— Sidelines – USC 🏴☠️ (@SSN_USC) November 5, 2023
The Grinch reaction shots are brutal lol
— 🦍BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL🦍 (@edsbs) November 5, 2023
Spread the word.
— Nico (@USC_Nico) November 5, 2023
I’ve NEVER seen a USC defense this bad #FireGrinch
— Wyatt Charles Hill (@WyattsonaHill) November 5, 2023
USC scored 28 points in one half, and is very, very likely to lose at home.
That's all that needs to be said, folks.#FIREGRINCH #FIREWYLIE
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) November 5, 2023
#FireGrinch
Let’s get it trending— The Trojan Blade (@TheTrojanBlade) November 5, 2023
Alex Grinch after watching Washington take a 2 score lead after a 91 yard drive. Huskies have over 300 yards rushing. pic.twitter.com/8lQ285p3mG
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) November 5, 2023
A team that doesn’t rush the ball ran for over 319 yards. 199 yards before contact 🤦🏾♂️ #FireGrinch
— Zooloo_Trojan ⚔️✌🏾 (@Zooloo_Trojan) November 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/fight_on_socal/status/1720999995661541540