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WSU Hires Tracy Claeys to replace Alex Grinch

If you can’t beat ‘em, hire ‘em. That is apparently Mike Leach’s train of thought, as he has hired former Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys to replace Alex Grinch, and run the Washington State Cougars defense. This comes just a year after Leach hired Minnesota defensive line coach Jeff Phelps when Joe Salave’a departed for Oregon.

The news of the hire was first reported by Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Joe Christensen.

WSU made it official shortly afterward.

The Clay City (coincidence?), Kansas native joined Jerry Kill’s Minnesota staff as Defensive Coordinator in 2011.