What is Washington State getting in Missouri safeties coach Alex Grinch as defensive coordinator? I spoke with PowerMizzou.com associate editor Pete Scantlebury, who gave a raving review of the new Cougar defensive coordinator.
"When Pinkel hired Grinch, a lot of fans thought it was nepotism -- Grinch is Pinkel's nephew-in-law," Scantlebury told WazzuWatch.com. "But, he quickly became a very solid asset on the recruiting trail, and is very good with the media. He has a very CEO-like quality to him when he talks to the press, and seems to have the personality to be a head coach down the line.
"He was big in the development of Braylon Webb, a three-year starter for Missouri at safety, to become one of the better -- if underrated -- safeties in the SEC. However, it's seemed like the spot opposite Webb has been kind of a struggle with finding a strong complement for Webb, but Missouri's safety play really improved this past season all together.
"I'm not sure what he's going to want to do as a defensive coordinator. I think, in talking with him, he would have liked to be more aggressive with his safeties, and at times, he was. But Missouri's defensive line has been so good the past few years that they really haven't had to blitz that much to get pressure -- I believe they lead the nation in sacks with bringing four or fewer rushers over the last two seasons.
"But regardless of that unknown, he's a bright, energetic young coach, who will be an asset on the recruiting trail. He REALLY made a quick impact on Georgia, an area Missouri never really recruited before the SEC move."
This post was edited on 1/14 10:45 AM by Britton Ransford
"When Pinkel hired Grinch, a lot of fans thought it was nepotism -- Grinch is Pinkel's nephew-in-law," Scantlebury told WazzuWatch.com. "But, he quickly became a very solid asset on the recruiting trail, and is very good with the media. He has a very CEO-like quality to him when he talks to the press, and seems to have the personality to be a head coach down the line.
"He was big in the development of Braylon Webb, a three-year starter for Missouri at safety, to become one of the better -- if underrated -- safeties in the SEC. However, it's seemed like the spot opposite Webb has been kind of a struggle with finding a strong complement for Webb, but Missouri's safety play really improved this past season all together.
"I'm not sure what he's going to want to do as a defensive coordinator. I think, in talking with him, he would have liked to be more aggressive with his safeties, and at times, he was. But Missouri's defensive line has been so good the past few years that they really haven't had to blitz that much to get pressure -- I believe they lead the nation in sacks with bringing four or fewer rushers over the last two seasons.
"But regardless of that unknown, he's a bright, energetic young coach, who will be an asset on the recruiting trail. He REALLY made a quick impact on Georgia, an area Missouri never really recruited before the SEC move."
This post was edited on 1/14 10:45 AM by Britton Ransford
