HEADLINE

Baylor hires Grimes as offensive coordinator

Field Level Media

January 05, 2021 at 1:10 am.

Baylor is attempting to punch up its offense and hopes it took a step in that direction by hiring Jeff Grimes as offensive coordinator on Monday.

Grimes, 52, spent the past three seasons at BYU and his 2020 offense tied for third in the nation in scoring (43.5 points per game) and was seventh in total offense (522.2). Quarterback Zach Wilson passed for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

Grimes was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which is awarded to the nation’s top assistant coach. Outgoing Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian won the award.

His task will be to improve a Baylor offense that ranked 100th in scoring (23.3) and 118th in total offense (310.2) during a 2-7 season. The Bears scored a combined 17 points over their final two games.

“First of all, Jeff is a high-quality person,” Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said in a statement. “He is a family man. He is a true ball coach and a fundamental teacher of the game. He coaches a physical offense built on explosive plays in both the pass and run game. There is a strong identity in what he does. We will be building to that vision, and I know he will hold our staff and players accountable to that standard.”

Aranda and Grimes previously worked together at LSU from 2016-17 when the latter was offensive line coach and Aranda was defensive coordinator. Grimes spent four total seasons with the Tigers prior to this stint at BYU.

“I am absolutely fired up about joining Coach Aranda’s staff and leading the Baylor offense,” Grimes said in a statement. “I’ve known Dave for years and have always admired him as both a coach and person. There’s tremendous alignment between what Baylor University stands for and who I am at my core. I can’t wait to get back home to the great state of Texas and begin working with the tremendous student-athletes and coaches in the Baylor program.”

Grimes replaces Larry Fedora, who was dismissed after one season as Baylor’s offensive coordinator.