Chip Lindsey Joins Mizzou as Offensive Coordinator, Bringing Deep Experience and Proven QB Development
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz just made a significant addition to his staff, announcing the hiring of veteran play-caller Chip Lindsey as the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator. With nearly three decades of coaching experience, Lindsey arrives in Columbia with a résumé packed with high-level stops, quarterback development success, and a reputation for building balanced, high-powered offenses.
This move signals Mizzou’s intent to keep pushing forward. Drinkwitz, who’s steadily elevated the Tigers over the past six seasons, called Lindsey “a tremendous addition” and pointed to his ability not just to scheme and call plays, but also to teach, lead, and elevate talent across the board.
Lindsey’s coaching journey spans 28 years and includes offensive coordinator roles at Michigan, North Carolina, Auburn, Arizona State, UCF, and Southern Miss - plus a three-year stint as head coach at Troy. Along the way, he’s helped shape multiple quarterbacks into NFL-ready talent, including 2024 first-round pick Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jarrett Stidham (Auburn), and Nick Mullens (Southern Miss).
Rebuilt Michigan Offense in 2025
Lindsey’s most recent stop was at Michigan, where he took over the offense in 2025 and wasted no time making an impact. He helped true freshman Bryce Underwood emerge as one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the country, all while crafting a balanced attack that kept defenses guessing.
Michigan averaged 213.2 rushing yards per game - 15th nationally - and added another 185.8 through the air. That kind of dual-threat balance is exactly what coaches dream of, and Lindsey delivered it in Year 1.
Strong Track Record at UNC
Before Michigan, Lindsey spent two seasons running the offense at North Carolina (2023-24), where he helped the Tar Heels lead the ACC in rushing in 2024 and maintain a consistent scoring punch. That year, UNC averaged 32.3 points and 423.4 total yards per game, with a ground game that churned out nearly 190 yards per contest. The passing attack added another 234 yards per game, and the offense produced three All-ACC performers, including star running back Omarion Hampton - a back-to-back All-American.
In 2023, Lindsey’s offense was even more explosive. With Drake Maye under center, UNC averaged 491.2 yards (7th nationally) and 34.5 points per game.
Maye threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the ACC in total yards and passing yards per completion. Meanwhile, Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 scores, finishing fifth nationally in rushing and earning finalist honors for the Doak Walker Award.
UCF and Troy: More Offensive Firepower
Lindsey’s 2022 season at UCF saw the Knights rank among the best in the country offensively - 26th in scoring (34.4 PPG), 11th in total offense (480.6 YPG), and 8th in rushing (236.1 YPG). That kind of production has been a hallmark of Lindsey-led offenses: aggressive, creative, and balanced.
As head coach at Troy from 2019 to 2021, Lindsey posted a 15-19 record, but the offensive numbers told a more complete story. In his second season, Troy ranked 21st nationally in passing yards, and the offensive line was rated third in the country in pass-blocking efficiency by Pro Football Focus. In 2020, the Trojans averaged over 313 passing yards per game (9th nationally), scored 33.8 points per game (25th), and racked up 456.3 total yards per contest (18th).
Early Stops and Quarterback Development
Lindsey’s coaching roots trace back to high school football across Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia, where he built a reputation for developing quarterbacks and creative offensive schemes. His first college coordinator job came at Southern Miss in 2014-15, where he helped break five single-season school records. That 2015 offense, led by Nick Mullens, was electric - 4,125 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 528 total points.
He later joined Auburn as OC in 2017-18, after previously serving as an offensive analyst during the Tigers’ 2013 SEC title run and BCS National Championship Game appearance.
A Proven Fit for Mizzou’s Vision
Lindsey’s arrival in Columbia aligns with what Drinkwitz has been building - a program that develops talent, competes in the SEC, and plays a brand of football that’s both smart and explosive. Lindsey’s track record suggests he’s more than capable of delivering on that vision.
From his early days coaching prep quarterbacks to guiding future NFL stars and coordinating some of the most efficient offenses in college football, Lindsey brings both experience and adaptability. He’s coached in nearly every region, worked under pressure at Power Five programs, and shown a knack for getting the most out of his quarterbacks and skill players.
“I could not be happier to have the opportunity to work with Eli Drinkwitz in Columbia,” Lindsey said. “What Coach Drinkwitz has done at Mizzou over the past six years is remarkable. You couple that with the commitment the University of Missouri has made to the football program - this is one of the most attractive coordinator jobs in the country.”
What’s Next?
With Lindsey now set to lead the Tigers’ offense, all eyes will be on how quickly he can implement his system and elevate Missouri’s attack. His history suggests he won’t need long. Whether it’s grooming a young quarterback, leaning into a physical run game, or dialing up tempo and creativity, Lindsey has done it all - and done it well.
For Mizzou, this is more than just a coaching hire. It’s a statement about where the program is heading and the kind of offense it intends to run in the SEC moving forward: smart, balanced, and built to win.