COLUMBIA, MO – In a move that underscores the volatile nature of the current collegiate coaching carousel, the Missouri Tigers officially announced the hiring of Chip Lindsey as the program’s new offensive coordinator on Sunday. The 51-year-old veteran, who spent the 2025 season directing the offense at Michigan, arrives in Columbia to replace Kirby Moore, who recently departed to take over as the head coach at Washington State.
For Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, the acquisition of Lindsey is a major coup, bringing in a highly respected play-caller with nearly three decades of experience. However, the timing and optics of the hire are as much about the turbulence in Ann Arbor as they are about the strategic vision in Columbia.
Escaping the Shadow of Scandal
Lindsey’s departure from Michigan comes during a period of unprecedented crisis for the Wolverines. Just eleven days ago, on December 10, Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause following a university investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The situation darkened significantly when Moore was subsequently charged with felony third-degree home invasion and stalking, related to an incident following his termination.
As the Wolverines prepare for the Citrus Bowl under interim coach Biff Poggi, the “Ann Arbor exodus” has begun in earnest. Lindsey, who joined Michigan only a year ago to revamp their struggling offense, saw the writing on the wall. “I could not be happier to have the opportunity to work with Eli Drinkwitz,” Lindsey said in a statement. “The commitment and infrastructure in place here… is truly exciting.”
A Proven “Quarterback Whisperer”
Despite the chaos at Michigan, Lindsey’s stock remains high. This past season, he was credited with the rapid development of blue-chip freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who threw for 2,229 yards and nine touchdowns in his debut campaign.
Lindsey’s resume reads like a roadmap of modern college football. Before his stint in the Big Ten, he served as the offensive coordinator at North Carolina, where he tutored New England Patriots first-round pick Drake Maye. His career also includes successful tenures at Auburn—where he helped Jarrett Stidham lead the SEC in completion percentage—Arizona State, UCF, and Southern Miss, where he developed NFL veteran Nick Mullens.
“Chip is a tremendous addition,” Drinkwitz said. “He is an excellent offensive mind with experience ranging from high school to being a college head coach. He understands the ‘fire’ of this league.”
The Drinkwitz-Michigan Connection
The hire adds a layer of irony to the offseason narrative. Earlier this month, Eli Drinkwitz was frequently mentioned as a leading candidate for the Michigan head coaching vacancy. However, Drinkwitz recently signed a lucrative contract extension with Missouri, reaffirming his commitment to the Tigers. By prying Lindsey away from Michigan, Drinkwitz has effectively signaled that Missouri is no longer a stepping stone, but a destination.
What Lindsey Brings to the Tigers
Lindsey inherits an offense that led the SEC in rushing yards per game in 2025 behind breakout star Ahmad Hardy. While Kirby Moore’s “innovative” schemes focused on vertical explosive plays, Lindsey is known for a more balanced, “pro-style” approach that emphasizes quarterback efficiency and organizational structure.
With 28 years in the coaching ranks, including three years as the head coach at Troy, Lindsey is expected to provide the “training-wheels-free” leadership Drinkwitz demanded during the search. As Missouri looks to build on its back-to-back bowl victories, Lindsey’s ability to stabilize the offense amid the roar of the SEC will be the ultimate test of this high-profile homecoming.