Michigan’s offense wants to be explosive this season and take shots down the field, but they also want to stay balanced and physical. Here’s how Michigan’s offense is evolving under new OC Chip Lindsey.
Michigan’s offense scuffled in 2024, to say the least, but there’s something to be said about learning from mistakes and righting wrongs. And the 2025 Wolverines, although we’re months away from the regular season, seem to be on the path to offensive success, thanks to a new offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey.
Michigan running back Justice Haynes said he sees a Michigan offense that’s going to be a “complete offense” and one that’s “gonna make some noise.”
“I see an offense that’s determined,” Haynes said after Michigan’s spring game. “Determined to prove a point.”
Lindsey has a track record of coaching high-scoring offenses that pass and run effectively. North Carolina’s offense and currently New England Patriots starting quarterback Drake Maye both had a tremendous amount of success under Lindsey’s tutelage. In 2023, UNC averaged 491.2 yards per game, which ranked No. 7 in the nation. The Tarheels averaged 292.2 passing yards per game and rushed for 192.1 yards per game — UNC was one of just two offenses to average both of those numbers. After a season in which Michigan ranked No. 129 in total offense, Lindsey’s vision is refreshing and welcomed.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is excited about the wrinkles that Lindsey is installing and said the offense has been fun. Michigan fans got a glimpse of what Moore’s excited about during the spring game — Lindsey’s offense has a willingness to throw the ball deep and take chances vertically. Moore also said that Michigan’s receivers have improved since the start of spring ball.
“We’ve created some shots and created some different pass concepts to help us, and we’ll continue to do that,” Moore said.
Michigan receiver Donaven McCulley is also loving that Michigan is implementing a vertical passing game.
“Fast-paced, we’re gonna throw the ball down the field. That’s his vision,” McCulley said . ”Of course, we’re gonna set the line of scrimmage with the run game. He really wants to get the ball down the field a lot more.”
While Michigan is taking more deep shots, it’ll be interesting to see if those shots down the field occur at a higher frequency this season or if Michigan’s simply experimenting this spring to see if Michigan’s quarterbacks can consistently succeed throwing deep.
“We have a whole summer to evaluate and see and do what we need to do to go win the game,” Moore said.
While Michigan will likely pass more with Lindsey as OC, the running game will still be an integral part of Michigan’s offensive success.
“Our offense is gonna be very explosive,” Haynes said. “Gonna be balanced and is capable of doing a lot of things.”
In February, Lindsey talked about his offensive vision at Michigan. Lindsey mentioned that Michigan’s DNA is being tough and running the ball, but feels that a strong passing game is a must for this Michigan offense, saying , “you’ve got to be able to throw it down the field.”
“I think our goal is to have the most physical and explosive offense in the country, and that’s kind of what our mantra is,” Lindsey said.
Explosive, physical, and determined are just some of the buzzwords being used for Michigan’s offense under Lindsey, and we’ll see if words and work lead to winning results once the games start counting.