February 17, 1998
Texas A&M head football coach R.C. Slocum bolstered his coaching staff with the addition of former Virginia Tech assistant J.B. Grimes on Tuesday. Grimes, who has coached at Tech for the past five seasons, will oversee the Aggie offensive line.
"I've know Coach Grimes for a long time and I've been impressed with his coaching ability," Slocum said. "He has done an excellent job at Virginia Tech and we are excited about him joining our football staff."
During his five seasons at Virginia Tech, the Hokies have experienced their most successful stretch in school history with a 44-16 record and five bowl appearances. The Hokies appeared in the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl (twice) and the Independence Bowl over the past five seasons.
Grimes has been instrumental in the development of standout offensive linemen Jim Pyne, Billy Conaty, Gennaro DiNapoli, T.J. Washington and Todd Washington.
"Texas A&M has been one of the top programs in the country for several years and I'm excited about the opportunity to join the coaching staff," Grimes said. "My roots are in the old Southwest Conference and I'm familiar with recruiting in Texas. We have family close by and I couldn't be more excited about joining the Aggie family."
A longtime offensive line coach, Grimes also served stints at Arkansas (1989-92 and 1981-82), Northeast Louisiana (1985-88), Missouri (1984) and Delta State (1983). Prior to Virginia Tech, Grimes also coached in the 1981 Gator Bowl, the 1982 Bluebonnet Bowl, the 1989 Cotton Bowl and the 1991 Independence Bowl.
A native of Clarendon, Ark., Grimes is a 1977 graduate of Henderson State University in Arkansas. While there, he was a four-year lettermen at offensive guard on a team that was a perennial NAIA powerhouse. Grimes played in the NAIA Div. I national championship game against Texas A&I in 1974 and the Bicentennial Bowl against East Central Oklahoma in 1976.
Grimes and his wife Jennifer have four children, Lindsey, 14; Nick, 11; Aaron, 8; and Danielle, 6.