MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced the hiring of new safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch on Thursday morning. Grinch, a two-time Broyles Award semifinalist, joins the Badgers staff after two seasons (2022-23) as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at USC and three seasons (2019-21) in the same role at Oklahoma.
 
"I'm thankful to have the opportunity to add Alex to our staff," said head coach Luke Fickell. "Alex has phenomenal experience from across the college football landscape and I'm excited for the schematic, recruiting and coaching talents he'll bring to our defensive staff."
 
Prior to defensive coordinator stints at USC (2022-23) and Oklahoma (2019-21), Grinch spent the 2018 season at Ohio State as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Before his season in Columbus, Grinch was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Washington State (2015-17) and the safeties coach at Missouri (2012-14).
 
"I'm thrilled to be joining Coach Fickell's staff at Wisconsin," said Grinch. "I've admired Coach Fickell's coaching and leadership style from afar for a while and I can't wait to enter a new era of Big Ten football on his staff at Wisconsin."
 
In 2022 at USC, Grinch's defensive unit led the nation in turnover margin (1.57) after the Trojans ranked No. 74 nationally in 2021. USC ranked No. 3 nationally with 19 interceptions by 11 different players.
 
At Oklahoma, the 2020 season highlighted the strong play of Grinch's defensive unit. The Sooners ranked top-10 nationally in interceptions, third down defense, sacks, passing efficiency defense and rushing defense while allowing only 21.7 points per game. Oklahoma claimed the 2020 Big 12 title and a trip to the Cotton Bowl.
 
In 2019, his first season in Norman, Okla., Grinch earned Broyles Award semifinalist status and Oklahoma claimed the Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoffs.
 
Grinch's first full-time coaching assignment was at New Hampshire from 2005-08. Grinch coached the cornerbacks and also served as the recruiting coordinator from 2007-08. New Hampshire appeared in the FCS playoffs every year Grinch was on staff.
 
Grinch broke into the SEC as a full-time assistant in 2012 for a three-season stint at Missouri. Grinch coached the Tigers' safeties and Mizzou won SEC East Division titles in 2013 and 2014 and claimed a Cotton Bowl victory in 2013.
 
"I can't wait to get to work at Wisconsin," said Grinch. "I know that the tradition of Badger Football and the power of the Motion W travels throughout the country. I'm excited to represent a great fanbase and program."
 
Grinch played safety at Mount Union (1998-2001) and was part of three NCAA Division II championships. He earned third team All-America status as a senior in 2001.
 
Grinch and his wife, Rebecca, have a son, Tyler, and daughter, Corbi. His uncle is Gary Pinkel, who was the head football coach at Toledo (1991-2000) and Missouri (2001-15).