Washington State Cougars

AP source: Washington State DC Grinch leaving for Ohio State

Published Jan. 4, 2018 5:54 p.m. ET

Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is leaving the Cougars and joining Ohio State as an assistant coach, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized. Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig says there would be no announcement on the addition of a 10th assistant coach on Urban Meyer's staff until next week at earliest. A new NCAA rule goes into effect after this season that allows FBS teams to expand staffs to 10 full-time assistant coaches.

Sports Illustrated first reported Grinch was heading to Ohio State.

Grinch, an Ohio native who played at Division III powerhouse Mount Union, has been with Washington State since 2015. The 37-year-old directed a defense ranked 16th in the country in yards allowed per game (323.3) and 34th in yard per play (5.13) this season. The Cougars ranked second in the Pac-12 in both those categories. Washington State also ranked eighth in the nation in tackles for loss with 103.

Grinch is from Grove City, Ohio, just outside of Columbus, where Ohio State is located. Before becoming defensive coordinator at Washington State, Grinch spent three seasons at Missouri and three at Wyoming.

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