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The Michigan Wolverines are reportedly set to hire Chip Lindsey as their next offensive coordinator after dumping Kirk Campbell just one year into his tenure. But how Lindsey came to be the choice is a bit more intriguing.
Yes, the 50-year-old does have the feather in his cap of coaching New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye the year before he became the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. But Lindsey arrived on campus at Chapel Hill in 2023, and Maye had already established himself as a top prospect by that point.
Michigan also reportedly spoke with Toledo head coach Jason Candle and Tulane offensive coordinator Joe Craddock before settling on Lindsey. But ultimately, the decision came down to one big thing.
According to Rivals.com, Michigan consulted with incoming quarterback Bryce Underwood in order to choose its next offensive coordinator.
“Bryce approves of the hire. He had phone conversations with all the candidates and believes Lindsey will help in his development toward the NFL,” a source told Rivals.
Last month, Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan after the Wolverines offered him a record-breaking $12 million NIL deal. Underwood, the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class regardless of position, attended high school at Bellveville High School, less than 30 minutes away from the University of Michigan campus.
“Michigan was in my top three no matter where it was,” Underwood said after flipping. “Because, one, it’s hometown; one, education; and one, (it’s) the big football team — best football team in Michigan, and also the winningest team in the country, no matter what sport.”
Ultimately, the Wolverines have too much money invested in Underwood for him not to have a say. It’s also why most assume he’ll start right away for Sherrone Moore next season. But it’s an incredible amount of power to give to a player who has not yet played a single down of college football.