Grimes Headed To LSU
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After discussions that began last week, HokieHaven.com has confirmed that Virginia Tech offensive line coach Jeff Grimes will be leaving the Hokies' staff, after accepting the same position at LSU. Grimes' new position is expected to pay him roughly double his salary at Virginia Tech.
Grimes spent only one season with the Hokies, after being hired in January to replace Curt Newsome. Grimes was hired along with offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead.
Grimes will be heading back to the SEC, where he was the offensive line coach at Auburn from 2009-12. Many of the Tigers' offensive linemen on their national runner-up team this season were coached and recruited by Grimes.
Before his stop at Auburn, Grimes was the assistant head coach/running game coordinator and offensive line coach at Colorado (2007-08), the offensive line coach at BYU (2004-06), the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Arizona State (2001-03) and the offensive line coach at Boise State (2000). Grimes also coached at Hardin-Simmons (1998-99) and was a graduate assistant at Rice and Texas A&M after being the offensive coordinator at Riverside (TX) High School. He was a four-year letterman at Texas-El Pasofrom 1987-90.
According to a USA Today report, Grimes was set to receive a salary of $280,900 this year from Virginia Tech, while departed Tigers offensive line coach Greg Studrawa had a salary this past season of $510,000 before being released from his position last week.
The Hokies are now scrambling to hold on to their five offensive commitments for 2014, all recruited by Grimes:
- Brady Taylor, three-star offensive tackle from Bishop Ready (OH), No. 58 offensive tackle in the country, No. 46 player in Ohio.
- Colt Pettit, three-star offensive tackle from Patrick Henry (OH), No. 60 player in Ohio.
- Tyrell Smith, three-star offensive guard from Don Bosco Prep (NJ), No. 26 in New Jersey.
- Billy Ray Mitchell, three-star offensive guard from Paramus Catholic (NJ)
- Eric Gallo, two-star offensive center from Council Rock South (Pa.)
Taylor will especially be tough to reel back in. He'll officially visit his hometown Ohio State after receiving an offer from the Buckeyes last week.
Stay with HokieHaven.com for the very latest with the impending coaching search, as well as the latest with all five commitments and any other possible offensive line additions