BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is headed to Baylor to become the Bears’ OC, the school announced on Monday.
Grimes is headed to Waco to reunite with Dave Aranda, the Bears head coach. The two coached together at LSU. Aranda is a former Utah State defensive coordinator.
Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel first reported Grimes’ departure from Provo.
“I am absolutely fired up about joining Coach Aranda’s staff and leading the Baylor offense,” Grimes said in a Baylor release. “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. Sic ‘Em!”
Grimes’ BYU offense broke out this season behind the play of quarterback Zach Wilson, a veteran offensive line and a group of talented skill players. The Cougars ranked third nationally in scoring offense, averaging nearly 44 points per game.
Grimes was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top offensive coordinator.
Grimes’ move marks the latest departure from a BYU team that finished 11-1 and routed UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl. Wilson has declared for the NFL Draft, as has wide receiver Dax Milne, offensive tackle Brady Christensen and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.
“Jeff did a tremendous job here at BYU as our offensive coordinator,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said in a statement. “Grimey is an outstanding person and a great coach, teacher and leader. I appreciate everything he has done for BYU football and the young men in our program. We love and wish him, Sheri and their family the very best as they return home to Texas with this opportunity to work again with Coach Aranda at Baylor.”
