With USC head football coach Lincoln Riley making the decision to relieve defensive coordinator Alex Grinch of his duties, co-defensive coordinators Shaun Nua and Brian Odom hope to help the Trojans find their way back into the win column in their final two games of the regular season.
“We gotta find the spark, gotta get the guys playing as a unit and executing at a high level,” Nua said. “Obviously a change was made so we can go for that spark and go for a different outcome.”
Odom acknowledged that despite the change, the defense is trying to get better and is excited for this weekend’s matchup against the Oregon Ducks.
“I think that’s our job every week; to make it a little bit better,” Odom said. “Things are changing now, but obviously, I could kinda compare that to the linebacker room this year, you see a lot of guys out there, trying to find the right combination. They’ve been great this week, guys are very aware of the situation, and they’re excited to go play this week.”
Senior inside linebacker and team captain Mason Cobb spoke about his initial reaction to hearing that Grinch had been fired, and how influential Grinch has been on him as both a person and a player.
“I was surprised, you know? It’s part of the game, but it’s sad to hear, one of your coaches, one of your mentors, ultimately loses his job,” Cobb said. “And that guy, he taught me a lot about life. Not just about football, but he was always there for me and I could talk to him about anything. And he was very motivational, I’m sure y’all have heard stuff he’s said. A lot of stuff I’m gonna keep with me. This is how the game goes, and I wish him the best of luck.”
Cobb had previously gone through a change in defensive coordinator near the end of his sophomore year at Oklahoma State, when Jim Knowles left the Cowboys to take the same job at Ohio State.
Nua acknowledged that from watching film, the Trojans had opportunities to stop the Washington Huskies’ offense last Saturday, but the team found itself unable to capitalize on those chances as the Trojans lost 52-42. Nua’s focus now is making sure everyone is keeping a positive mindset and is getting ready for the game against the Ducks this weekend.
“The challenge is trying to rally these guys,” Nua said. “Make sure that their mindset is right, and making sure that whatever we try to change, if we do change anything, that it’s with a positive mentality. That’s the challenge.”
Odom spoke to the challenges that the defense faces, especially considering how USC’s coaches and players must account for the differences in how opposing offenses call and execute plays.
“Every week, you play a different offense. They put you in stress at different moments,” Odom said. “This week is just like every other week in terms of saying that they put stress on the defense, and they do a great job doing it. Schematically, what do we digest, what do we need to change, what do we not need to change?”
Oregon’s offense is one of the best in the country under senior quarterback and Heisman hopeful Bo Nix. Nix, who has thrown for 2,723 yards and 25 touchdown passes while also proving himself capable of running the ball, has led the Ducks to an 8-1 record. But despite the challenge that playing in Eugene poses to the Trojans, Cobb has confidence in both Nua and Odom and is spending the week rallying and motivating his teammates.
“Today man, guys were fighting. I think guys understand that we don’t have many options, but to go to work every day. And that’s kinda all brought us together, through practicing,” Cobb said. “Why not go around and hit people and fly around and be loud? … This is a dream right here. Why would I lay down? For what? Cause something didn’t go the way I wanted it to? No. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m gonna keep preaching to the guys, ‘We got two more games left, we gotta finish right.’”
The Trojans will look to play spoiler to the Ducks this weekend, whose Pac-12 and national championship aspirations are still very much alive.