FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks are in the running for Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, according to ESPN analyst Brock Huard, the former University of Washington and NFL quarterback.
Speaking on his radio show Brock and Salk on AM-710 in Seattle on Wednesday, Huard said Grinch, the nephew of former Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel, is very likely to depart Coach Mike Leach's staff at Washington State and that SEC destinations Texas A&M and Arkansas are the most probable landing spots.
"He's not officially gone, but everybody I've talked to who is close to the situation say … he is weighing numerous options and he is a wanted commodity," Huard said.
Asked where Grinch is likely to land, Huard replied "It could be A&M or Arkansas; I think back in the SEC. Remember he came from Missouri. He was a position coach there. So family roots, some of those things are there."
Arkansas Coach Chad Morris has not announced any assistant coach hirings, through several members of his SMU staff have been recruiting for the Razorbacks. Morris said he planned to hire the best defensive coordinator in football at his introductory press conference last Thursday.
No. 21 Washington State, which is 9-3 and headed to a Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl matchup against Michigan State, is No. 15 in the FBS in total defense, allowing 313.6 yards per game, No. 47 in scoring (24.4 points per game), No. 5 in pass efficiency defense and No. 12 in sacks (3.0 per game).
Washington State is tied for seventh with 8.17 tackles for loss per game.
The Cougars ranked No. 97 in total defense (442.3) the year before his arrival, and improved to No. 84 (416.2) in his first season and No. 62 (405.9) in 2016.