Last week, Michigan football defensive coordinator Wink Martindale spoke to reporters for the last time before the Ohio State game, and though offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s last media availability was a few weeks ago, he made some time to appear on the Inside Michigan Football radio show on WCSX.
Speaking with Jon Jansen, Lindsey shared the state of the offense, Bryce Underwood and Andrew Marsh’s growth, his early impressions of Ohio State and Matt Patricia’s defense, and more. Considering Ohio State has the No. 1 defense in the country, Lindsey’s playcalling and his unit will be key if the Wolverines have a shot to upset the Buckeyes.
Here is everything he had to say.
Was Maryland the most complete game?
Yeah, I think you could say that for sure. That’s one of the things I really talked about all week, stressed with the guys. Let’s go out and play our best game. It’s something, I know it’s cliche as to say that, but for us, put four quarters together, good solid football, take care of the ball. Not have a lot of penalties and really play clean, and really, really proud of the guys. And I thought we did a nice job of playing clean football on Saturday.
Does the offense now match the preseason vision?
I think we’re getting there. I think anytime you go into a season, you have an idea of what you think you want it to look like and what it’s gonna be. But I also think there’s times as the season plays out, a lot of things that dictate maybe what that kind of looks like early on. And then as you grow, some of it is injury-based, obviously, some of it being the growth of your players. And for us, watching some young players grow right in front of our eyes is really kind of cool to see that happen. And when you talk about the O-line and the receiver room and obviously the quarterback room for sure.
But no, I think it’s something that I think we’re getting closer to where we wanna play. At the end of the day, I think the goal is just to play good, solid football, clean, execute at a high level, complementary football. And this time of the year, you’d better be able to do that, and something that I think we’re improving on each week.
Has he ever had this young of an offense?
No, not in college football for sure. It’s unique, but you know what that is though, it’s exciting. I mean, we’re in a great spot right now. We still control our own destiny in some respect, and really still got everything out there to play for. And to be where we are with that group is exciting for now, but also for the future, and just really proud of the growth those guys are making each and every week. And you can see it, and I said it earlier, but it’s really kind of neat to watch it happen and unfold and watch those guys start playing with a lot more confidence.
What he’s learned as a playcaller htis year
I think I’ve just learned that no detail is too small. We have to, don’t assume just because you’ve presented it and taught it and then actually walked it and then even practice it, don’t assume that the smallest things are easily understood all the time. There’s just so many, in this day and age we’re in, there’s so many distractions in the world anyway, with social media and phones and all the things that go along with it. We never had to deal with and we were playing. My God. So I think you have to go back to your roots.
I was a high school teacher at one point, and my parents were, and you’d better be able to teach what you’re wanting at a high level and then try to get as many reps up as you can, but never take anything for granted. You have to make sure that you do a great job of explaining not only what they’re gonna do, but why we’re doing it, and that’s something I think this unit as a group has really, really improved on as the years gone by.
Where has Bryce Underwood grown the most?
Yeah, I think just getting comfortable playing at a high level at this level. It’s a huge jump to go from a high school player to the Big Ten and on this stage and so forth. But what I see with him is a guy that the moment’s not really ever been too big for. He’s had some ups and downs just like any young player would, but he still believes in himself. He’s never lost his confidence. At the same time, he’s the first one to point at himself and say, you know what, that’s not good enough. I made a mistake or whatever.
And again, I say it when coaching this position, the quarterback’s like my 29th year to do it. The guys that don’t repeat mistakes are the guys that end up being great players. And so far, that’s been him. He doesn’t repeat a lot of mistakes. Once he sees it and understands it, or whatever’s going on, whether you’re talking about progressions or defenses you’re looking at or pressures, he doesn’t repeat those mistakes a lot. And I think that’s gonna go a long way in his development.
On Andrew Marsh
Yeah, I said this the other day in practice, just he made an unbelievable over-the-head catch. And I said, I made the comment on the headset, it’s this guy’s growing up right in front of our eyes. It’s really cool to see. You see a lot more confident kid than maybe at first in the spring and early training camp, early season. I think that goes along with moving him around and doing a lot of different things with him. Early on, he’s probably just trying to figure all that out. I just see a lot of confidence oozing out of him. And I think that’s when guys are confident, and they’re very comfortable with what they’re doing. I think you see the best version of them. And he’s got a lot of things I know he wants to improve on, but he’s headed in the right direction for sure.
On the offensive line amid all the youth
Yeah, I think that group, I’m really proud of that group. As a unit, from playing the position, the best offensive lines, they just jell. They play with each other, they understand. The calls become easier, the communications becomes easier. And like I said, just really proud of the growth that that unit has really shown. And from my standpoint, you gotta be able to run the football to be successful. We’ve been able to do that, and that’s been a tribute to those guys. Because, as you mentioned, we’ve had some bumps in the road with missing some guys and losing some guys, and kind of our mantra. And it goes along with, I think, our place here is the next man up, be ready. And I don’t think there’s ever been a year that that’s been more evident than this group, and still a lot of improving to do. But it’s good to see that unit continue to jell.
On calling games with all of the running back injuries
Yeah, I think once you get the game plan set and you feel like, OK, we can use these guys this way, this is their strength. That’s the whole — I think the trick in coaching is figuring out what your guys can do and then try to do it as well as you can or as many times you can different ways. And I think that’s each week, that’s been a little bit challenging at times, just for who’s available. Don’t get me wrong, some guys can do whatever you want them to do. But at the end of the day, whether they’re a young player who’s just figuring it out or an older player whose skill set kind of defines what he’s gonna be good at. That’s the trick every week is figure out, OK, can we get a plan together that highlights our guys’ strengths along with (one) that fits against the defense we’re playing? And I think a tribute to the staff that we have here with Grant Newsome and Steve Casula and Ron Bellamy, and Tony Alford. And just being able to put our heads together and say, OK, what can we do that gives our guys the best chance to be successful? And that’s really in the simplest form what you should be doing every week.
His pregame impressions of the Ohio State rivalry
Well, I’ve had a ton of respect for it. Growing up, even down south and seeing this from a distance, just it’s The Game for a reason, right? And so I’m excited to be a part of it. I know once it kicks off, it’s a football game that we gotta focus on what we’re trying to do, but it’s definitely, I know you can feel the energy around here this week, and this is what you get in the business for, to coach and play in these kind of games if you’re a player. So looking forward to it and just really trying to stay focused on preparing and getting our guys the best plan we can to be the most successful we can on Saturday.
On Matt Patricia and the NFL concept in his defense
I think there’s probably some truth to it. I think people would say that about Wink on our side of the ball, right? His NFL background. I think at the end of the day, the good defensive coordinators, they’re gonna do the best job they can of trying to take away what you do well. And no matter what it looks like on that side of the ball, this defense is extremely well coached, and they do what they’re supposed to do. And they make you earn everything you’re gonna get. And it’s gonna be one of those old-fashioned football games where you’re gonna have to earn everything you get, I think, on both sides. And he’s doing a really good job with that group for sure. But at the end of the day, I think we gotta focus on trying to execute at a high level. Understand that each play is gonna be extremely important and take one play at a time mentality.
Favorite Thanksgiving dishes
Yeah, it’s definitely turkey and dressing. I mean, that’s the thing that — it’s not Stove Top, right? No, it’s not Stove Top? No, it’s the real stuff. And what a great time of year. I mean, it’s exciting. You’re playing in a huge game. It’s Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. It’s just a blessing to be in this position. But at the same time, there’s nothing wrong with on Thursday sitting down and kind of busting your diet open really wide. And yeah, turkey and dressing, just the basic stuff I like more than anything. I’m a really picky eater, probably compared to a lot of people. But to me, that’d be my go-to for sure.
I think apple pie with ice cream’s probably it (for dessert). That’s kind of what jumps in my mind when you first said that. So I’d say that’s gonna be a hit for me on Thursday for sure.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Lindsey details Michigan’s growth, approach entering Ohio State week
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
