Missouri has found its next offensive coordinator - and it’s a name that’s been trending in coaching circles: Chip Lindsey. The former Michigan offensive coordinator is heading to Columbia to join forces with Eliah Drinkwitz, filling the vacancy left by Kirby Moore, who recently took the head coaching job at Washington State.
This move, while significant for Mizzou, sends just as strong a message about the current state of Michigan’s coaching staff and the shifting landscape in Ann Arbor. Lindsey’s departure comes just ahead of the Wolverines’ Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas on New Year’s Eve, and it’s a clear sign that change is already underway behind the scenes.
Let’s break down what this means on both sides - for Missouri, and perhaps even more critically, for Michigan.
Why Missouri Zeroed In on Lindsey
For Drinkwitz, this hire is about continuity and trust. Losing Moore was a blow, but it was also expected.
When you build a rising program like Missouri has under Drinkwitz, your assistants are going to get poached. What matters is how you respond - and Drinkwitz didn’t waste time.
Lindsey brings a wealth of experience and a track record of developing quarterbacks and scheming up balanced, effective offenses. He’s worked across the college football landscape, including stops at Auburn, Troy, and UCF, and most recently helped guide Michigan’s offense during a transitional period. He’s a coach who knows how to adapt, and that’s exactly what Drinkwitz needs as Missouri looks to keep climbing in the SEC.
This hire also reinforces the fact that Drinkwitz is locked in at Mizzou. Despite some noise about potential opportunities elsewhere, he’s committed to the Tigers - and he’s making moves that show he’s in it for the long haul.
What Lindsey’s Exit Signals for Michigan
Now let’s turn the lens to Michigan, where Lindsey’s departure raises more questions than it answers.
First, it seems clear that Lindsey didn’t see a long-term future in Ann Arbor - whether that’s because he wasn’t going to be retained by the next head coach or simply didn’t see eye-to-eye with the current interim setup. Either way, this is a strategic move on his part. Missouri offers stability, and in the coaching world, that’s gold.
His exit also suggests that Michigan’s internal coaching situation is far from settled. With Sherrone Moore still in the interim role and Biff Poggi among the few holdovers from the previous staff, there’s a sense that the next head coach - whoever that may be - will want to build his own team from the ground up. That’s common in these situations, but it also means more turnover is likely coming.
Michigan has already taken some swings in its coaching search. Kenny Dillingham didn’t pan out.
Kalen DeBoer wasn’t the right fit at the right time. So now, the Wolverines are back to scanning the landscape, which may include keeping an eye on the NFL carousel - especially if a domino like Marcus Freeman to the Giants were to fall.
In the short term, Michigan is heading into a major bowl game with a thinner coaching staff and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. That’s not an ideal situation, especially when facing a program like Texas. But this is also the reality of college football in late December - coaching changes, staff shakeups, and the ever-spinning carousel.
The Bottom Line
Missouri landed a veteran offensive mind in Chip Lindsey, someone Drinkwitz believes can help sustain the Tigers’ upward momentum in the SEC. For Michigan, his departure is another signpost on the road to what’s shaping up to be a full-scale rebuild of the coaching staff.
The Wolverines still have one more game to play this season, but behind the scenes, the next era is already being mapped out. And with every move - like Lindsey heading to Columbia - the picture becomes a little clearer.