Former Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey, who worked under Gus Malzahn in 2017 and 2018 and turned then-Baylor Bears transfer Jarrett Stidham into a fourth-round NFL draft pick, is back at it again in his new job.
CBS Sports' Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz reported that the Missouri Tigers' new offensive assistants under Eli Drinkwitz, including Lindsey and former Clemson Tigers OC/QB coach Garrett Riley, who will be Mizzou's QB coach, have inspired optimism in Columbia.
"On a positive note, in Columbia, there's enthusiasm around the program regarding new OC Chip Lindsey's offense and new QB coach Garrett Riley's work with a quarterback group that includes Ole Miss transfer and new starter Austin Simmons. Missouri came out of the spring believing it's in position to be a much more effective and productive passing offense after ranking last in the SEC in passing last season, which is even more important now considering the situation with (running back Ahmad Hardy)," Hummer and Zenitz wrote.
Lindsey is coming off a disappointing season with the Michigan Wolverines, when he couldn't properly develop 5-star Belleville (MI) prospect Bryce Underwood in his true freshman season. Underwood had big performances in the passing game, but he also faltered in key moments throughout the season.
Clearly, though, Drinkwitz didn't think Lindsey was a disappointment. Lindsey will have the clipboard and be the team's lead play-caller. While there will be collaboration, Lindsey will be the one given the primary offensive responsibilities in 2026.
Lindsey hasn't held a head coaching gig since 2021, when he was in charge of the Troy Trojans. That Troy run didn't go well, with Lindsey going 15-19 and 9-13 in the conference. Still, Lindsey could garner Group of Six consideration again by proving his worth in CoMo.
Lindsey will have Austin Simmons, who was slated to be the Ole Miss Rebels' starter in 2025 before an injury gave way to Trinidad Chambliss to lead the charge to the CFP semifinal, as his QB. Star running back Ahmad Hardy suffered a gunshot wound, and it's unclear what his health will be when football activities resume. The offensive line lost Keagen Trost and Connor Tollison but brings back All-SEC blindside tackle Cayden Green. Ole Miss transfer Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode figure to be Simmons' best receiving weapons.
Lindsey has a good chance to springboard back into the national conversation by the next hiring cycle with this Mizzou stint.
Chip Lindsey must bring 2017 Auburn results to 2026 Mizzou
Between Stidham becoming a 3,000-yard passer and Kerryon Johnson becoming the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, not to mention the SEC Championship Game appearance that would've led to a CFP appearance in an expanded field, Lindsey orchestrated magic during the 2017 season.
That year alone got him hired as the Trojans' head coach. That year was the last that AU beat the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide in the same campaign.
Lindsey's short run in Auburn was a fruitful one, even if it all fell apart in 2018. The Madison, Alabama, native needs to channel that 2017 energy in 2026 while coaching a different stripe of Tiger.
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