USC Football: Trojans Planning Major Coaching Changes This Week

Big changes are coming for the coaching staff of the Trojans.

The USC Trojans ended their season on a poor note, after being embarrassed by their crosstown rivals, the UCLA Bruins. On top of missing out on the playoffs, the team ended their season at 7-5. 

Many blamed Caleb Williams for the team's shortcomings, which is not fair considering the young quarterback was playing to a high level this year, in the same way that he did last year. 

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The issue that most people have seen has been from the coaching staff, mainly Alex Grinch, who was fired right before the end of the season. 

This has led to the Trojans wanting to find an immediate replacement for Grinch, though even more coaching changes might be incoming. 

Yep. Just got a text from my guy. Leonhard and Collins leader in the clubhouse https://t.co/ngRf8wegkc

— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) November 20, 2023

Ryan Phillips has stated that the USC Trojans will reportedly be searching for a new DC, and could have their replacement by the end of the week. 

Interestingly, it appears the Trojans could be taking a closer look at current Illinois defensive analyst Jim Leonhard as Grinch's replacement. Geoff Collins is another of the lead candidates, who was the former defensive coordinator for Mississippi State and Florida. 

Grinch certainly made a mess of things, as his unit underperformed all season, making what should have been a championship caliber team seem all too one-sided. 

Despite the search for a defensive coordinator, the other major coaching shakeups could involve current head coach Lincoln Riley, though that has not been substantiated at all. 

Riley should take the blame for the Trojans disappointing season, simply because he didn't have the foresight to fire Alex Grinch earlier on. This season's disappointing end should fall on his shoulders as well, and the Trojans should just clean house at this point. 

Caleb Williams is likely heading to the NFL, and the Trojans will need a new coaching to staff to usher in the new era of what should be a championship level team. 

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