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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Grinch Named Broyles Award Semifinalist
November 26, 2019 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma defensive coordinator and safeties coach Alex Grinch has been named a semifinalist for the 2019 Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced Tuesday.
Grinch, one of 15 semifinalists for the award, has led a defensive resurgence in his first year in Norman. This season, OU ranks among the top 60 nationally in nine defensive categories, compared to 2018 when the Sooners ranked no better than 59th in any statistic and among the bottom 30 FBS teams in multiple areas.
Heading into their regular season finale this Saturday at Oklahoma State, the Sooners rank 31st nationally and lead the Big 12 in total defense by allowing just 336.2 yards per game. OU also ranks 13th in third down conversion percentage (.302), 21st in tackles for loss (7.2 per game), 26th in passing defense (194.9 yards per game), 36th in sacks (2.6 per game), 45th in rushing defense (141.3 yards per game) and 54th in scoring defense (25.5 points per game).
Every area is an improvement over OU's 2018 national rankings, with the most notable jumps in total defense (114th to 31st), passing defense (129th to 26th) and third-down conversion percentage (118th to 13th).
OU's defensive success has come despite facing several Big 12 opponents that rank among the nation's leaders offensively. Eight Big 12 teams rank among the top 60 nationally in scoring offense (most of any Power Five Conference) while seven are ranked in the top 60 in total offensive yards.
On average, Oklahoma allows 7.8 fewer points, 117.6 fewer yards, 99.1 fewer passing yards and 18.5 fewer rushing yards per game than last year's team did for the entire season. OU has also reduced opponents' third-down conversion rate by more than 16 points, from 46.2 percent in 2018 to 30.2 percent this season.
In Big 12 play, OU leads the league in total defense (330.0 yards per game) and passing defense (188.4 yards per game), and ranks second in pass defense efficiency (126.9 rating) and third in rushing defense (141.6 yards per game) and sacks (2.4 per game).
Over the last six quarters of play, Oklahoma has held Baylor and TCU to a combined 273 yards (45.5 per quarter) on just 61 plays. Those teams have possessed the ball for only 26:09 out of 90:00.
The Sooners have forced a punt on their opponent's first possession in all 11 games this season and have allowed more than 6.0 yards per play in only one contest. In 41 games from 2016-18, Oklahoma allowed at least 6.0 yards per play 20 times.
From the list of 15 semifinalists, five Broyles Award finalists will be announced Dec. 2 and invited to travel to Little Rock, Ark., where the winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles' legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career at Arkansas.
Oklahoma has won three Broyles Awards, most of any school. OU's past winners are current head coach Lincoln Riley (2015; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks), Kevin Wilson (2008; offensive coordinator and tight ends/fullbacks) and Mark Mangino (2000; offensive coordinator and offensive line).
Current OU co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was a semifinalist last year.
Grinch, one of 15 semifinalists for the award, has led a defensive resurgence in his first year in Norman. This season, OU ranks among the top 60 nationally in nine defensive categories, compared to 2018 when the Sooners ranked no better than 59th in any statistic and among the bottom 30 FBS teams in multiple areas.
Heading into their regular season finale this Saturday at Oklahoma State, the Sooners rank 31st nationally and lead the Big 12 in total defense by allowing just 336.2 yards per game. OU also ranks 13th in third down conversion percentage (.302), 21st in tackles for loss (7.2 per game), 26th in passing defense (194.9 yards per game), 36th in sacks (2.6 per game), 45th in rushing defense (141.3 yards per game) and 54th in scoring defense (25.5 points per game).
Every area is an improvement over OU's 2018 national rankings, with the most notable jumps in total defense (114th to 31st), passing defense (129th to 26th) and third-down conversion percentage (118th to 13th).
OU's defensive success has come despite facing several Big 12 opponents that rank among the nation's leaders offensively. Eight Big 12 teams rank among the top 60 nationally in scoring offense (most of any Power Five Conference) while seven are ranked in the top 60 in total offensive yards.
On average, Oklahoma allows 7.8 fewer points, 117.6 fewer yards, 99.1 fewer passing yards and 18.5 fewer rushing yards per game than last year's team did for the entire season. OU has also reduced opponents' third-down conversion rate by more than 16 points, from 46.2 percent in 2018 to 30.2 percent this season.
In Big 12 play, OU leads the league in total defense (330.0 yards per game) and passing defense (188.4 yards per game), and ranks second in pass defense efficiency (126.9 rating) and third in rushing defense (141.6 yards per game) and sacks (2.4 per game).
Over the last six quarters of play, Oklahoma has held Baylor and TCU to a combined 273 yards (45.5 per quarter) on just 61 plays. Those teams have possessed the ball for only 26:09 out of 90:00.
The Sooners have forced a punt on their opponent's first possession in all 11 games this season and have allowed more than 6.0 yards per play in only one contest. In 41 games from 2016-18, Oklahoma allowed at least 6.0 yards per play 20 times.
From the list of 15 semifinalists, five Broyles Award finalists will be announced Dec. 2 and invited to travel to Little Rock, Ark., where the winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles' legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career at Arkansas.
Oklahoma has won three Broyles Awards, most of any school. OU's past winners are current head coach Lincoln Riley (2015; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks), Kevin Wilson (2008; offensive coordinator and tight ends/fullbacks) and Mark Mangino (2000; offensive coordinator and offensive line).
Current OU co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was a semifinalist last year.
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