Jon Jansen interviewed new Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey on the In The Trenches podcast, and Lindsey revealed his offensive philosophy — run the football and create explosive plays through the air:
New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey hasn’t been in Ann Arbor for long, but he already has a vision for winning games. It’s a game plan that could win over fans rather quickly.
He talked about Michigan’s “tough, physical football team,” with Jon Jansen on In the Trenches this week. After hearing this interview, it’s clear that winning another national championship is front and center. To do that, Lindsey knows the Wolverines have to run the ball, saying that’s what “really excited (him) about the job and coach (Sherrone) Moore.”
“Our goal is to have the most physical and explosive offense in the country,” Lindsey said. “You have to be able to run the football when you want to do it. At the same time, I want to create explosive plays. To do that, you have to throw it down the field.
“(I) got to be in the National Championship Game one time (at Auburn). You can’t do that without being able to run the football and be physical.”
Lindsey should have the pieces to do that this fall with talented quarterbacks in the room. It’s no secret Michigan struggled passing the ball last season, but with passers like Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene — and some new options at wide receiver — it’s reasonable to expect more out of Michigan’s aerial attack moving forward.
Lindsey is no stranger to balancing a strong run game with a talented quarterback. When he was at North Carolina, Mack Brown hired him with two things in mind — don’t mess up Drake Maye, and improve the run game.
Mission accomplished. UNC running back Omarion Hampton ran for more than 1,500 yards each of Lindsey’s two seasons with the Tar Heels, and Maye was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft . That’s great news for the running backs and quarterbacks in Ann Arbor.
Interestingly enough, Lindsey also shared how his scheme and vision for his offenses stem from his days coaching high school football. He believes it’s important to identify the best playmakers and try to get them the ball as often as possible.
The Wolverines certainly struggled offensively last season, but if they have any difficulties in 2025, the hope is it won’t stem from an inability to assess talent. If you’re still holding onto some frustration about how the Wolverines used their weapons last season, there’s hope Lindsey will change that moving forward.
While it’s clear he wants to win, Lindsey also seems to understand the importance of players having fun. Once again referencing his high school coaching days, he talked about how he ran more of a spread offense to get kids to join the team. While he might not need to convince guys to play at Michigan, he still wants them to enjoy what they’re doing. That’s clearly in line with Moore’s vision as head coach.
What are your thoughts on Lindsey and the offense ahead of spring practice? Let us know in the comments!