Latest news with #ChipLindsey
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chip Lindsey's humor, trust-building style boosts Michigan's offense, says Jordan Marshall
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Some coaches are disciplinarians, yellers, working to get the most out of their players through negative motivation. Some are quieter tacticians, more so focused on scheme and using their players as chess pieces. And then there are the 'players coaches,' who more so utilize input from their personnel, while building strong bonds. As it sounds in fall camp, Michigan football offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey may be a mix of the latter two. Fans don't get to see the inner workings of football programs, but there can be love for any of the three. However, one thing is for sure with Lindsey, his players absolutely trust and love him for who he is, and even when he doesn't relate to his playmakers, they still find ways to relate to that. "Everybody loves him. I mean, he's a little Southern Tang, and when he talks, it's funny," sophomore running back Jordan Marshall said. "We've got guys that will say stuff, and it's just funny hearing him talk sometimes and things he says -- is that that play or that play? What is he talking about? "He'll play some country music and try to get everybody to sing along. It's always a blast with him, but I think the players have really connected with him and the relationships he's had and connecting with players." That's one aspect, but there's also a trust component. Not only do the Wolverines' offensive players know that Lindsey has their back, but they understand that he's going to put them each in the best position to succeed. Knowing that, while feeling like he has their best interest at heart, it could pay huge dividends for the maize and blue this fall. "They know that he came from UNC and he had a great quarterback, great receivers, great running backs, so they know what he can do and how he can make sure that everybody's tools and how they play is out there on the film," Marshall said. "He's excited because he hasn't been on a team that's this physical, and this team is physical across the board. "Just to have him, somebody that is about relationships, about getting to know the players, not just on the field, but you can go down and sit in his office and just talk to him. Ever since he's been here, I've loved being around him, loved getting to know him. Again, he's a funny dude." Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Wolverines offense on August 30, when Michigan football hosts New Mexico for the 2025 season opener at The Big House.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football earns strong nod in 2025 US LBM Coaches Poll with new offense, defense
One of the first true barometers of the 2025 college football season arriving is here, and it also happens to be a gauge of just how good the teams might be this year, if not just the expectations within the sport. The preseason US LBM Coaches Poll has finally been revealed with less than a month to go before the season starts, and as it turns out, the coaches across college football think highly of Michigan football. The Wolverines ended last season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, but did lose a lot of talent on defense. Yet, the maize and blue look likely to reload on that side of the ball, while the offense should take a big step forward with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood at the helm. Thus, Michigan came in ranked No. 14 in the eyes of the coaches, indicating there's some strong rebound potential after last season's 8-5 record. The only other ranked opponent on the schedule is No. 2 Ohio State -- a team that lost four straight to the Wolverines and also has to play No. 1 Texas, No. 3 Penn State, and No. 12 Illinois. Here are the full rankings: Preseason US LBM Coaches Poll Dropped Out: No. 20 Missouri; No. 21 Army; No. 22 Syracuse; No. 23 Memphis; No. 24 UNLV; No. 25 Colorado Others Receiving Votes: Oklahoma 221; Missouri 142; Louisville 126; USC 116; Utah 86; Baylor 76; Auburn 50; Iowa 49; Memphis 34; Army 33; Tulane 31; Georgia Tech 27; TCU 24; Nebraska 19; Syracuse 16; Washington 15; Navy 14; Arkansas 14; Duke 12; Colorado 12; Minnesota 11; UNLV 8; Florida State 8; Vanderbilt 3; Buffalo 1
USA Today
28-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football players excited to display new explosive offense under Chip Lindsey in 2025
Michigan's offense wasn't exactly humming last year, but the hope is that the changes made in the offseason see something of a quick turnaround in 2025. In 2024, not only did the Wolverines have the worst yards per attempt in the passing game, but the offense as a whole was 127th (out of 134 teams) in yards per play. Given that the run game for Michigan averaged 77th (in the middle of the pack) when it came to average rushing yards, that tells you just how moribund the passing attack was. Sherrone Moore hopes that bringing in offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Justice Haynes, and wide receiver Donaven McCulley will fix what ailed the Wolverines a year ago. Regardless of the personnel additions or the playcalling or changes in scheme, the extant players on the team want to push the envelope, with the same type of will to prove that last year wasn't up to the standard of Michigan football. Fullback and team captain Max Bredeson shared at Big Ten media days that while the offense is looking for a quick turnaround, the goal isn't to show that the offense is capable; it's to win games. "There's no more offense that wants to rewrite a script than ours," Bredeson said. "Just because all the stats, all the numbers that go behind that. Guys just want to go out and play football, just play winning football. We're not trying to chase a place on what explosive offense we are. We're just trying to chase a number, the amount of wins." Even with the stated goal being different, how does the offense look with all of the changes? Bredeson says that there's not necessarily a feeling of familiarity year over year, given that there are always coaching changes and tweaks made. Yet, the whole group of players is excited about what Chip Lindsey has brought to the table. "Yeah, definitely a different feel," Bredeson said. "Every offense feels new, maybe 22-23 just because of the same amount of people. But every offense always feels different. This offense feels excited, an offense that wants to feel explosive. That's the feeling that everyone's chasing." Michigan is set to begin fall camp on Wednesday with an eye on the August 30 season opener against New Mexico at The Big House.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN flags Michigan football wide receivers as key concern for 2025 despite new additions
Michigan football finished the 2024 season about as good as any team (other than Ohio State, the eventual national champion) could, having beaten that same Ohio State team as well as Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But it was the defense and somewhat timely offensive production that carried those days -- not the offense as a whole. The Wolverines are hoping that the offense is a bit more consistent in 2025, with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey leading the charge and with No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, quarterback Bryce Underwood, likely to start as a true freshman. While the quarterback position was likely the biggest culprit in terms of the team's struggles a year ago, that's not the area of the offense that ESPN thinks could trip Michigan football up this season. It's the quarterback's targets. On Wednesday, ESPN revealed the weaknesses for each of the contending preseason teams in college football and surmises that wideout might be a bit of a question mark for the maize and blue. Area of concern: Wide receiver The Wolverines ranked 129th last season with just 1,678 passing yards. Quarterback play was part of the issue, as Michigan cycled through three quarterbacks (Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle and Alex Orji) in its first season after losing national champion JJ McCarthy. But Michigan's receivers collectively didn't make enough plays, as no wideout caught more than 27 passes or totaled more than 248 yards. The onus will be even greater on Michigan's receivers with tight end Colston Loveland -- the Wolverines' only reliable target last year -- now playing for the Chicago Bears. Instant impact from transfers Anthony Simpson (UMass) and Donaven McCulley (Indiana), combined with internal improvement from the likes of Fredrick Moore and Semaj Morgan, will be paramount if Michigan is going to threaten opposing defensive backfields in 2025 Appearing on In the Trenches in May, assistant wide receivers coach Soup Campbell noted that there's a lot of talent in the wide receiver room, even if it hasn't quite yet been maximized. "Talented group," Campbell said. "I think this group is a bunch of underachievers who the sky's gonna be the limit for them, and see how the season goes. And I think we have the talent to make some things happen." And wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy thinks big things are coming for the aforementioned Indiana transfer, Donaven McCulley, who has all of the requisites to be the next great Michigan football receiver. "He's the oldest guy in the room, has the most experience," Bellamy said in spring ball. "He's played over 1,000 snaps in his college career. So, quite naturally, you would think he would be the next guy on the room and on the wall. And that's what he's ascending to. "He's on track. I'll tell you what, he's on track to do that. He's got to keep attacking it and challenging himself every day, which, like I say, he's been a great addition thus far." Though the two transfers and Morgan and Moore are mentioned by ESPN, the Wolverines are also hoping to get some solid production from players such as true freshmen Jamar Browder and Andrew Marsh, as well as sophomore Channing Goodwin (who had the most targets in the spring game), and an emerging tight ends and fullback unit.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4-star Michigan football WR commit breaks down recent decision
The post 4-star Michigan football WR commit breaks down recent decision appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team made a big splash in the recruiting world on Friday as it landed a commitment from four-star 2026 wide receiver Travis Johnson. The Wolverines have had trouble landing elite WR talent in recent years, but their 2026 class has a good amount of skill. Johnson is definitely a big add for head coach Sherrone Moore and his staff, and he recently discussed what drew him to Michigan. Advertisement Travis Johnson had a lot of good options for college, and he took official visits to multiple elite programs. The Michigan football team felt like the right one. 'Michigan was the best fit for me,' Johnson said, according to an article from Rivals. 'Coach Bellamy and coach Moore, we clicked from day one when they offered me. Then Chip Lindsey, the new offensive coordinator, I love the new system, and with Bryce Underwood being the new quarterback I could see myself thrive there for sure.' In terms of what stood out, it was who Johnson was able to meet at Michigan. He knows that he will be able to make a lot of good connections with the Wolverines. 'The people,' Johnson said. 'It's Michigan. It has a big network. The people are good. All of my guys from Virginia are there.' Advertisement Recruits are often drawn to Michigan's culture, and that stood out to Johnson as well. The fact that the program recently won a national title was the cherry on top. 'Just the culture for real and they won the (national championship) two years ago,' Johnson added. 'I want to win one, too. I'm trying my best, going to give my hardest every step of the way to try and get another one.' All in all, Johnson is feeling good about his decision. 'It's amazing to be a Michigan man,' he said. The 2026 Michigan football recruiting class is in fantastic shape, and players like Travis Johnson are why. Sherrone Moore is going to have another terrific recruiting class. Related: Oklahoma football way-too-early bold predictions for 2025 season Related: Michigan football an early contender for elite 2027 TE
