Buckeyes formally hire WSU's Grinch

Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch walks on the field after a game against Nevada in Pullman, Wash., Sept. 23, 2017. Grinch has been hired by Ohio State.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State made its hiring of Alex Grinch official Monday.

The Buckeyes formally announced the former Washington State defensive coordinator will be joining their staff as the co-defensive coordinator.

Grinch is from Grove City, Ohio, and played at Mount Union with Toledo coach Jason Candle and former UT coach Matt Campbell.

“I am very impressed with his body of work while at Washington State, as many others were, and am happy he chose to come home to Ohio to become a part of our Buckeye coaching staff,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said in a statement.

Football Bowl Subdivision programs now are allowed to have 10 paid assistant coaches, up from nine in previous years. 

Grinch is a three-time nominee for the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant in the country. Washington State ranked inside the top 10 nationally in turnovers gained, passing efficiency defense, and tackles for loss during the 2017 season.

Former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has been the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, during which the defense has ranked in the top 10 nationally in both years.

Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at: npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz.