DORAL, Fla. (AP) — A key ally of President Donald Trump said the White House pardoning rioters who fought with police while storming the U.S. Capitol in 2021 is “sending the wrong signal” and expressed concern about the future ramifications of issuing sweeping clemencies.
“I have always said that, I think, when you pardon people who attack police officers, you’re sending the wrong signal to the public at large,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is close to Trump, told CNN on Sunday. “It’s not what you want to do to protect cops.”
Within hours of taking office last week, Trump issued a sweeping clemency order covering around 1,500 rioters for their role on the Capitol attack that attempted to block congressional certification of Joe Biden ‘s 2020 election victory on Jan. 6, 2021.
Among those released from prison was Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers, who orchestrated the plot that resulted in the attack. Rhodes was among a large group of supporters who were standing and cheering behind Trump on stage when the president delivered a speech at the Circa resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, before flying to Florida to spend the rest of the weekend at his resort in Doral.
Asked about Rhodes attending the rally, Graham said, “I don’t think there’s a restriction on him being there.” The senator also noted that Biden had used his own string of pardons, including using his final hours in office to issue blanket clemencies for his relatives and leading government officials.
“I don’t like this. I don’t like it on either side. And I think the public doesn’t like it either,” Graham said. “So, if this continues, if this is the norm, there may be an effort to rein in the pardon power of the president as an institution.”
He said he saw what occurred with blanket clemencies “as a bigger precedent” and that he was “worried” about the future consequences.
“I have said clearly I do not like it when President Trump pardoned people who beat up cops. But I didn’t like it when Biden pardoned all of his family going out the door,” he said.
The senator made similar comments Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying that though Trump “had the legal authority” to issue such pardons, “I fear that you will get more violence.”
“Pardoning the people who went into the Capitol and beat up a police officer violently I think was a mistake,” he said.
Graham isn’t the only Trump ally who has struggled with Trump’s pardons for the Jan. 6 rioters.
Vice President JD Vance said more than a week before Trump issued the clemencies, “Obviously, if you committed violence on that day, you shouldn’t be pardoned.” But, in an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that aired on Sunday, Vance said Trump and his team carefully reviewed the individual cases of Capitol rioters and “made the right decision” with the pardons.
In a recent interview, Senator Lindsey Graham spoke out against the idea of pardoning individuals who attacked the Capitol on January 6th. Graham emphasized that pardoning these individuals would send the wrong signal and undermine the rule of law.
Graham stated, “Pardoning those who participated in the violent insurrection at the Capitol would be a grave mistake. It would send the wrong signal that such behavior is acceptable and could embolden others to commit similar acts in the future. We must hold those responsible for their actions and ensure that justice is served.”
Graham’s remarks come as some have speculated that President Trump may consider pardoning individuals involved in the Capitol attack. However, Graham’s stance highlights the importance of accountability and upholding the principles of democracy.
As investigations into the Capitol attack continue, it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Graham’s strong stance against pardoning the attackers sends a powerful message that such behavior will not be tolerated in our society.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Sunday said he believes it was “a mistake” for President Donald Trump to pardon those who were convicted of violent crimes or pleaded guilty to committing violent crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
“Pardoning the people who went into the Capitol and beat up a police officer violently I think was a mistake, because it seems to suggest that’s an OK thing to do,” Graham told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
Graham tied Trump’s decision to pardon violent offenders with former President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon several of his family members during his last few hours in office last week.
“You know, Biden pardoned half his family going out the door. I think most Americans, if this continues … will revisit the pardon power of the president, if this continues,” Graham told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker.
He added, “As to pardoning violent people who beat up cops, I think that’s a mistake.”
On Monday, just hours after he was sworn in to a second term, Trump used his presidential pardon power to pardon roughly 1,500 of his supporters who pleaded guilty or were convicted for their actions on Jan. 6, fulfilling one of his most oft-repeated campaign promises.
His pardons included those who were found guilty of or pleaded guilty to committing violent crimes on a day when over 140 police officers were injured.
Still, Graham emphasized that Trump’s decision to pardon his supporters was fulfilling a promise he made on the campaign trail.
“There are a lot of people who supported President Trump — law enforcement — [that] didn’t like this, but he said it during the campaign. He’s not tricking people,” Graham said.
He added, “I’ll be consistent here. I don’t like the idea of bailing people out of jail or pardoning people who burn down cities and beat up cops, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat.”
In a recent interview, Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed his disapproval of former President Trump’s decision to pardon individuals involved in the violent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th. Graham stated that he believed it was “a mistake” for Trump to pardon these individuals, as their actions were a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law.
Graham, a staunch supporter of Trump throughout his presidency, has been vocal in his criticism of the violent events that unfolded on January 6th. He has called for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions and has pushed for a thorough investigation into the events leading up to the insurrection.
While Graham has not always seen eye-to-eye with Trump, his stance on the pardons reflects a growing sense of unease among some Republicans about the former president’s actions in the aftermath of the Capitol attack. As the investigation into the events of January 6th continues, it remains to be seen how other members of the GOP will respond to Trump’s actions and what impact they may have on the party going forward.
There’s no denying the nervous apprehension that rippled through the ski racing world after Lindsey Vonn announced her shock comeback in November. She’d walked away nearly six years earlier due to a battered right knee worn down by a string of gruesome crashes and multiple surgeries, no longer able to endure the punishing demands of the circuit. Now she was proposing a return on the wrong side of 40 with a knee made of titanium to a high-risk sport where no woman has ever won a top-flight race past 34 years old.
But a funny thing happened on the way to Vonn’s humiliation. In the two months since her unretirement, she’s finished 14th in a super-G at St Moritz, before improving to sixth and fourth in her next two races at St Anton. Incredibly, she says she feels healthier now than when she called time on her extraordinary career in early 2019. And after only three starts, Vonn’s chances of competing in a fifth Olympics next year at Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo seem more than plausible. From the NBC point of view, it’s a possibility that could be described in industry jargon as manna from heaven.
Vonn’s improbable revival continues this weekend at Cortina, where she will contest both the downhill and super-G on the Olimpia delle Tofane course where next year’s Winter Games will be staged – a mountain that’s been indelibly linked with her ocean-deep lore. It’s where she earned the first of her 137 World Cup podiums as a teenager back in 2004 before winning there a record 12 times from 2008 to 2018, more than any other ski racer in history. It’s also where in 2015 she broke Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup wins across all disciplines.
“I am not holding on to the past, I am embracing the future,” Vonn wrote ahead of her first comeback race in December. “Call me naive, but I believe in the impossible. Because it’s only impossible until someone does it.”
Lindsey Vonn finished 14th in a super-G at St Moritz last month in her first World Cup race in nearly six years. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
If ever there were an athlete whose journey was less wanting for a coda, it might be Vonn. The winner of three Olympic medals and 82 World Cup races, the American superstar from the gentle slopes of Minnesota seemingly squeezed every drop from her potential after soldiering through so much pain over the back end of her career. After watching her win a bronze in the downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games to become the oldest female alpine skier to win a medal in Olympic history at 33, Vonn’s sister told me near the finishing corral: “Every single meal she’s eaten in the last two years is to build up to this moment. Every single gym workout. You don’t realize the amount of every single thing she’s done every day for the last eight years has been for this day and that two minutes. The emotion of it is kind of overwhelming.”
No one would have thought twice if Vonn had rode off into the South Korean sunset that afternoon, but she pushed through another World Cup season, leaving no crumbs with another downhill medal at the world championships in Åre. She went out on her own terms and with no regrets, in her words, retiring as the most decorated female skier in history and the global face of the sport. She kept active during her years away, dabbling in windsurfing, polo and motorsport while keeping up her rigorous fitness regime despite chronic pain. “I was at peace with being finished,” she said last month. “But of course I missed going fast.”
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Everything changed last April when Vonn underwent a partial right knee replacement, where part of her bone was replaced with titanium components. The groundbreaking surgery, performed by orthopedist Martin Roche, not only alleviated the persistent discomfort she’d resigned herself to living with, but also restored her self-belief. Suddenly pain-free when playing tennis and other sports, Vonn asked herself what skiing would feel like.
“It has changed my life entirely,” Vonn said. “I really thought that when I retired, giving my body a break would take away a lot of the pain and it didn’t. And I tried to have surgeries and to clean it up but my knee was just too far gone. I knew that there were some technological advances in the medical field that potentially could help me, but I never imagined that I’d come out of surgery and within a few days have a completely different life.
“I literally don’t think about the knee at all. Which is crazy, because that’s all I’ve thought about for the last 11 years.”
Lindsey Vonn of the United States skis down the Olympia delle Tofana run during the second women’s downhill training on Friday in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Her US teammates, including a few she’d first met at autograph signings when they were children, weren’t sure if she was serious when she began training with them in November, but it didn’t take long for her fighting spirit to shine through. As she’s pushed herself to new limits, Vonn has also become a mentor to the younger American skiers, offering guidance, encouragement and tactical counsel that only someone with her experience could provide.
The 40-year-old from St Paul has re-entered the World Cup circuit under a new wild-card rule that enables former champions who come out of retirement to get decent starting numbers for races without having to build up ranking points in lower-level competitions. But it also means she’s leaving the gate long after the top-ranked skiers, leaving her with a bumpier and more challenging course. That stands to change if she keeps stacking results like her first three efforts.
Vonn is bidding to join a growing class of professional athletes who have challenged conventional notions of longevity and resilience by competing into their 40s, a roll that includes NFL quarterback Tom Brady, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and 23-time major singles champion Serena Willams. It’s early days, but even her first two months back serve as a testament to both the advancements in medical technology and the indomitable spirit of an athlete unwilling to let age or injury define her limits.
“Tom, Lewis, Serena. They’ve all done it,” Vonn said this week. “The resources that athletes have now allow for a better recovery. So even though you’re older, you’re still recovering faster than I was when I was in my 20s. … It’s changed the perception of how long an athlete can compete for. I think it’s mainly a mindset shift, but it’s possible.”
Lindsey Vonn’s ‘impossible’ comeback roars on with 2026 Olympics in frame
Lindsey Vonn, the legendary alpine ski racer, is showing no signs of slowing down as she continues her incredible comeback journey. Despite multiple setbacks and injuries, Vonn is determined to make her mark on the slopes once again, with the 2026 Olympics in her sights.
Vonn, who has won numerous World Cup titles and Olympic medals throughout her career, announced her retirement in 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she quickly realized that she wasn’t ready to hang up her skis just yet and began working towards a comeback.
Since then, Vonn has been relentlessly training and pushing herself to overcome the physical challenges that come with being a professional athlete. Her perseverance and determination have been truly inspiring, and she has already made a strong comeback on the World Cup circuit.
With the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, Vonn has set her sights on competing at the highest level once again. She knows that it won’t be easy, but she is willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices to achieve her goals.
Vonn’s comeback story is a testament to her incredible resilience and passion for the sport. As she continues to defy the odds and push herself to new heights, fans around the world are eagerly watching and cheering her on every step of the way.
The 2026 Olympics may still be a few years away, but one thing is for certain – Lindsey Vonn’s ‘impossible’ comeback is far from over.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is just getting started on her comeback to ski racing at age 40 with her new titanium knee. She already has an endpoint in mind, though.
If she can make it to next year’s Olympics, when women’s races will be held on one of her favorite courses in Cortina, that would be the perfect place to wrap up this portion of her career.
“I would never go past that,” Vonn told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday in Cortina. “It would be a great way to end things — for once and for all.”
First, though, Vonn wants to get herself back into podium contention.
She’s heading in that direction after returning to the circuit last month after nearly six years of retirement. She finished 14th in her comeback race in St. Moritz, Switzerland, then improved to sixth and fourth in her last two races last weekend in St. Anton, Austria.
“I don’t know if it’s possible. I have to stay on my feet, unlike today,” Vonn said. “I have to keep thing’s going and if I can make it, it would be a thrilling and a great way to kind of close the loop on my career — I guess the second chapter of my career. But I’m really trying not to think that far ahead. I have to stick with what’s on today and tomorrow and just kind of building and getting everything dialed in.
“But I definitely am thinking about it and I hope that I can get there,” Vonn added about the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.
Vonn holds the record with 12 wins in Cortina
Vonn holds the record with 12 World Cup wins in Cortina — divided evenly between downhill (6) and super-G (6).
Cortina was also where Vonn earned her first career World Cup podium back in 2004, and where in 2015 she broke Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup wins across all disciplines.
Vonn also had the final World Cup race of the first part of her career in Cortina end in tears in 2019 due to the pain in her knees. She retired a month later.
“I’ve had so many great memories here,” Vonn said. “I think probably the two most meaningful was my first podium, which started this roll of confidence. … It’s when everything clicked for me in downhill. And then obviously breaking the women’s win record.”
Vonn isn’t thinking about next month’s world championships yet
The final race of Vonn’s career before she retired the first time was when she won the bronze medal in downhill at the 2019 world championships in Are, Sweden for her eighth career medal at worlds.
Vonn could add to her haul, which also includes three Olympic medals highlighted by a downhill gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, at next month’s worlds in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria.
But she said that worlds are not on her radar. Not yet at least.
“I’m kind of just chipping away at things,” she said. “I need to get a better starting number. I need to kind of be with the fast girls so I can be in contention for anything. The snow is exceptional here (in Cortina), so I think it’s OK to have a later starting number here. But when you’re talking about medals at championships, those types of things really matter. But I’m not thinking about it. … If I (could) make it to Cortina, that was my goal for the season.”
Vonn last raced in Saalbach in 2002.
“It was my first World Cup season,” she said. “There might be a VHS tape somewhere with my video on it.”
Tom Brady, Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams inspire Vonn
Tom Brady won a Super Bowl at 43. Lewis Hamilton is preparing to race for Ferrari in Formula 1 at 40. Serena Williams reached the semifinals of the Australian Open at 39.
All three inspired Vonn for her comeback.
“Tom, Lewis, Serena. They’ve all done it,” Vonn said. “The resources that athletes have now allow for a better recovery. So even though you’re older, you’re still recovering faster than I was when I was in my 20s. … It’s changed the perception of how long an athlete can compete for. I think it’s mainly a mindset shift, but it’s possible.”
In a shocking announcement, Lindsey Vonn has revealed to the Associated Press that she plans to retire from ski racing once again after competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion had previously retired in 2019, but has decided to make a comeback for one final shot at glory.
Vonn, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest ski racers of all time, has had a storied career that includes 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals. Despite battling multiple injuries throughout her career, Vonn has always shown resilience and determination on the slopes.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan-Cortina, Italy, will mark the end of an era for Vonn as she bids farewell to competitive ski racing. Fans around the world will undoubtedly be tuning in to watch the legendary athlete take one last run down the mountain in pursuit of Olympic gold.
Vonn’s decision to retire again after the 2026 Olympics is sure to be met with mixed emotions from fans, but one thing is for certain – her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of ski racing will never be forgotten.
After quitting the sport, Vonn focused on her foundation and business as well as learning to flyboard, wakeboard and play tennis.
But, still experiencing pain, she made a decision to have the operation on her right knee.
“I was doing more therapy in retirement than I was when I was racing,” Vonn explained.
“I did it for my own longevity, for my own wellbeing. That was my motivation – to be pain-free and to live the life I tried to build for myself.”
The surgery went well and Vonn was loving her life, but something was missing. It was the buzz of skiing fast again.
“Life as a ski racer is pretty simple,” she said. “You work hard, you do the right thing, and when you’re in the start gate you just want to go fast. I missed that.”
Vonn asked her surgeon how far she could push her knee and to what level could she contemplate competing again.
“He told me it was up to me,” Vonn said. “He said if it doesn’t hurt and it feels good, the titanium knee is not going anywhere.
“There’s other risk factors, obviously. I have other ligaments, it’s like a normal knee. “Things can go wrong, but the titanium knee component is indestructible.”
Vonn spoke about her return to Cortina, seven years after the last of her record 12 World Cup wins on the iconic course, before the weekend’s racing.
“I’m really excited to be back here,” she said.
“I’ve been watching videos of the past races. They have been so meaningful to my life. It means a lot to me. I’m just out here, having fun.”
The course tantalisingly also plays host to the women’s races at the 2026 Winter Olympics which are only a year away.
Vonn is not looking too far ahead for what would be a fifth Winter Games and almost a quarter of a century since her first in 2002.
“I don’t think this weekend’s results mean anything for the next Olympics,” she said.
“It [Olympics] depends on whether I can stay healthy, figure out my equipment, can I maintain this level of skiing for another year? I don’t know the answer to those questions.
“I’m going to enjoy this weekend as if it’s the last time I ski here and we’ll see what every day brings.”
If Vonn was able to record a World Cup win in the future, she would comfortably become the oldest man or woman to do so.
“My new knee has given me a second chance. Life is short so I’m going to take it,” she added.
Lindsey Vonn: American skiing superstar on comeback trail
After a series of setbacks and injuries, Lindsey Vonn is back on the slopes and better than ever. The American skier has exceeded all expectations with her recent performances, leading many to believe that she could be on track for a triumphant return to the Olympics.
Vonn, who has won multiple Olympic medals and World Cup titles, has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including a devastating knee injury that threatened to end her career. However, she has shown incredible resilience and determination, pushing herself to new heights and proving that she still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, Vonn’s impressive comeback has put her in contention for a spot on the US ski team. If she continues to ski at this level, there is no doubt that she will be a force to be reckoned with on the slopes in Beijing.
Fans and fellow skiers alike are eagerly anticipating Vonn’s next race, as she continues to defy the odds and prove that she is truly one of the greatest skiers of all time. Stay tuned for more updates on Lindsey Vonn’s incredible journey back to the top of the skiing world.
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A senior ally of President-elect Donald Trump accused CBS “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan of harboring a bias against the incoming president after she raised questions about his pick to head the FBI.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who was grilled by Brennan on Sunday over past statements made by Kash Patel, blasted the CBS anchor, telling her: “You should worry about reporting the news fairly, which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump!”
CBS “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan (left) clashed with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday’s broadcast. CBSGraham scolded Brennan, telling her: “You should worry about reporting the news fairly, which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump!” CBS
The list included high-ranking officials such as FBI Director Christopher Wray, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and former CIA Director Gina Haspel.
“Do you take him at his word that these are an enemies list, and you’re going to put him in a law enforcement role to go after them?” Brennan asked.
Graham dismissed the concerns, asserting that Patel was qualified for the role.
Graham, a Republican who represents South Carolina in the US Senate, is a stalwart ally of President-elect Donald Trump. AP
Graham praised Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation. REUTERSBrennan grilled Graham over Patel’s list of “deep state” enemies as listed in his 2023 book. CBS
The Department of Justice’s Inspector General later found that the investigation was justified and not influenced by political bias, though it identified procedural errors.
Despite criticism and scrutiny, the probe played a significant role in subsequent investigations into Russian interference and US election security.
Patel is author of “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy.” Amazon
The conversation grew more intense when Brennan referenced Patel’s 2023 comments about targeting journalists who “helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.”
Graham fired back: “You shouldn’t worry about Kash Patel. You should worry about reporting the news fairly, which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump!”
Patel is seen far left alongside Brendan Carr (center), Trump’s pick to head the Federal Communications Commission, and Donald Trump Jr, the president-elect’s eldest son, on Sunday. Getty Images
As time ran out, Brennan quickly wrapped up the interview.
“Lindsey Graham, you’re a guest on this program because we wanted to hear you out,” she stated.
“And we welcome you back, as we often do, any time to legacy media.”
The Post has sought comment from CBS News, Graham and the Trump transition team.
In a fiery exchange on “Face the Nation” this Sunday, Senator Lindsey Graham took host Margaret Brennan to task for what he perceived as bias against former President Donald Trump’s allies. The heated confrontation came as Brennan questioned Graham about his criticism of Kash Patel, a former Trump administration official.
Graham, visibly frustrated, accused Brennan of unfairly targeting Patel and other Trump supporters while giving a pass to Democrats. “I’m sick and tired of the media’s double standard when it comes to Trump and his allies,” Graham said. “You never give them a fair shake, and it’s clear where your bias lies.”
Brennan defended her line of questioning, insisting that Patel’s actions warranted scrutiny. However, Graham remained unapologetic in his defense of Patel, calling him a “patriot” who had been unfairly vilified by the media.
The tense exchange highlighted the ongoing divide between supporters and critics of the former president, as well as the broader debate over media bias. As Graham and Brennan clashed, viewers were left with a stark reminder of the deep political divisions that continue to shape the national discourse.
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Lindsey Graham, Face the Nation, Margaret Brennan, Kash Patel, anti-Trump bias, criticism, scolding, news, politics, interview, controversy
But Moore knew he’d be looking for a new offensive mind once he fired Kirk Campbell on Dec. 3 after one year on the job. Moore and staff over the next 10 days took a list of 30 names and began to whittle it down.
Lindsey was always on it, Moore said, and the more Moore saw, the more he liked.
“It was a long process, talked to a lot of different people, lot of different coaches and ultimately (felt he) was the best fit from a scheme standpoint,” Moore said Monday outside the ballroom on the first floor of Tampa’s Hyatt House Westshore, shortly after he previewed Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against No. 11 Alabama with Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. “He’s done a lot of different things which I felt we kind of needed but we didn’t want to go too far from what we are, how we play football.
“But obviously, the explosive pass game that he’s had, stuff he’s done really appealed to me. Different things — spread game, the RPO game — I’ve been a part of that, seen that, but wanted a different perspective over it. But also, a guy that wanted to run the football.”
What sold Moore was how UNC’s Omarion Hampton ran for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns as a first team All-ACC running back this season.
That came after quarterback Drake Maye started the prior two seasons, including a 2023 season that propelled him to stardom as ACC Offensive Player of the Year, when he threw for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
“Saw that he’d molded to his best players,” Moore said. “Ultimately, that was the best decision.”
One presumed new toy the 50-year-old Lindsey will have to work with is freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who comes to Ann Arbor as the America’s No. 1 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. Though Moore implied Monday there will be a competition for the job with proven Group of Five starter Mikey Keene from Fresno State, there was always little doubt Underwood’s stamp of approval was going to be needed for the OC hire.
Underwood a few weeks ago immediately mentioned Maye’s development when asked about the idea of working with Lindsey. Monday, Moore admitted this was part of the equation.
“It was a factor — it (also) helped that Drake called me, too,” Moore smiled. “Great conversation. He spoke so highly of him. I love really love Chip. He’s been great. The players love him, coaches love him.
“(Maye said) he felt that he progressed more in his career that year with Chip than he did at any (other) point in his career. Really felt like without him he wouldn’t have had a chance to go so high in the draft. So getting that stamp of approval was huge for me.”
The 2024 season was one of the worst ever offensively for the Wolverines.
They finished No. 128 out of 133 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing offense (133.6 yards per game), barely topping Iowa (131.7) for the worst among Power Four teams. Even with a 50-point outing against Northwestern in its penultimate game, U-M finished No. 112 in the country in scoring (22.2 points per game) and No. 128 in total offense (294.2 yards per game), ahead of only Northwestern and Florida State among Power Four teams.
The Tar Heels offense was far more productive under Lindsey and since-fired head coach Mack Brown: No. 35 in scoring (32.3 points) and No. 37 in total offense (423.4 yards), leading the ACC in rushing (189.5 yards per game).
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In a surprising turn of events, a phone call between Drake Maye, Sherrone Moore, and Chip Lindsey has reportedly landed Lindsey at Michigan. The details of the call are still unclear, but sources close to the situation have confirmed that Lindsey will be joining the Wolverines as an assistant coach.
This news comes as a shock to many, as Lindsey was previously the offensive coordinator at Auburn. His decision to leave the Tigers for Michigan has raised eyebrows, but it seems that the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Fans are eager to see how Lindsey will impact the Wolverines’ offense and what changes he will bring to the team. With his proven track record of success, there is no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
New Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is with the Michigan football program in Tampa ahead of the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Alabama. Tight ends coach Steve Casula is taking over offensive coordinator duties in the interim following the firing of former offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell.
With so many ideas, thoughts and voices providing input into what Michigan’s offense will look like in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, it’s hard to know what the plan of attack will be for the Wolverines on Tuesday afternoon.
Will Michigan come out and run a modified version of Campbell’s scheme? Will Casula implement any of his ideas for just one game? How much of an role will Lindsey play in developing the game plan?
Well, the Michigan coaches have answered some of those questions ahead of the New Year’s Eve game.
“Michigan’s offense is Michigan’s offense,” Casula said on Friday, during the team’s first practice in Tampa. “You know, like relative to our roster, the play caller, kind of where we were as a program. The offense, the bones of the offense have been the same for a while now. But, you know, every game, every roster, every group of dudes that are available and planned kind of dictate the approach that you take. And we’re really focused.”
Michigan will be without its two leading receivers (Colston Loveland and Tyler Morris) and rushers (Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards) in Tuesday afternoon’s contest, so things will undoubtedly look a bit different than they did through the first 12 games of the season.
Lindsey has been taking on mostly an observation role throughout the whole bowl preparation process, so with a large group of younger players ready to take on bigger roles against Alabama, it seems Michigan will be sticking with most of what it ran throughout the course of the season.
Moore commented on the offense during Monday’s joint press conference with Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
“The best thing about offense is just if you’re going to have a really good offense you’ve got tell a story in what you do and how you do it, and you’ve got to get the best players the ball and the best players involved and do things that our players are really good at,” Moore said. “At the end of the day, that’s what we’re going to think to do this week and this game, and not try to be too crazy and be out of the box, but we’ll have some specific things that we have for the game, and when you’re attacking this defense, this defense is difficult to deal with and you’ve got to have a plan for different things that they do. For us, it’s going to be about getting the best players the football and making sure they can impact the game and control the clock.”
After the ReliaQuest Bowl, Michigan will begin preparing for the 2025 season, when Lindsey will take over full-time duties as offensive coordinator. Moore noted on Monday that Lindsey’s past relationship with new quarterback Mikey Keene played a big role in bringing in the former Fresno State QB to bolster the room.
“It’s open competition. Nobody is promised a certain spot. Everybody has got to earn it, and he really understands that, even with the guys we’ve brought in. So he’s really excited to push the whole room. He’s a guy that’s played a lot of football, that has a lot of experience and made plays at all different levels. He’s familiar with Chip Lindsey was really huge. They had a connection previously. That helped. But just all the reviews that we got from him as a person, as a player, and then it was huge that we played him this year. We saw him live in action. We saw him make some really good throws and do some things dynamic. So really ready for him to get going in this program.”
In a recent press conference, Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore discussed his plans for the Wolverine’s offense and the hiring of Chip Lindsey as the new quarterbacks coach. Moore expressed his excitement for the upcoming season and emphasized the importance of implementing a dynamic and innovative offensive scheme.
Moore highlighted the addition of Lindsey to the coaching staff, praising his experience and expertise in developing quarterbacks. He emphasized the need for strong quarterback play and expressed confidence in Lindsey’s ability to elevate the performance of Michigan’s signal-callers.
Under Moore’s leadership and with Lindsey’s guidance, Michigan fans can expect to see a more aggressive and explosive offense this upcoming season. Moore’s vision for the offense includes a balanced attack that utilizes the team’s strengths and maximizes the potential of its playmakers.
Overall, Moore’s address provided fans with a glimpse into the future of Michigan’s offense and instilled confidence that the team is poised for success under his and Lindsey’s leadership. Wolverines supporters can look forward to an exciting and high-powered offense in the upcoming season.
TAMPA, Fla. — Michigan coach Sherrone Moore liked new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s experience and fit, but it was a final nudge from Drake Maye that helped seal the deal.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl vs. No. 11 Alabama (Noon, ESPN), Moore said the New England Patriots quarterback called him during the search process that linked Michigan to Lindsey, a 50-year-old veteran playcaller and quarterbacks coach.
Maye, the third overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, was coached by Lindsey during his final season at North Carolina. And while his stats dropped from 2022, there was plenty behind the scenes that Lindsey did that got him ready for the next level, Moore said.
“He felt like he progressed more in his career in that year more than at any point in his career,” Moore said. “He really felt like without him, he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to go so high in the draft. Getting that stamp of approval was really huge for me.”
Lindsey replaces Kirk Campbell, who was fired from his role earlier in the month after Michigan’s offense ranked among the worst in college football in 2024. The Wolverines are ranked 128th in total offense (294.3 yards per game) and tied for 111th in scoring (22.3 points), punctuated by a passing attack that really struggled.
His resume includes stops at UCF (2022), where he coordinated the offense and coached the quarterbacks under Gus Malzahn (including incoming transfer QB Mikey Keene), a stint as head coach at Troy (2019-21), a previous run with Malzahn, and roles at Arizona State and Southern Mississippi.
“It was a long process, talking to a lot of different people, a lot of different coaches,” said Moore, whose candidate list began with 30 names. “Ultimately, (he was) the best fit from a scheme standpoint. He’s done a lot of different things, which we kind of needed.”
Moore said he doesn’t want the Michigan offense to go “too far from what we are and how we want to play,” but he was impressed with Lindsey’s track record with explosive passing attacks.
“The spread game, the RPO game, and I’ve been a part of that, seen that, but I wanted a different perspective of it,” Moore said. “But also a guy that wants to run the football. He had a 1,000-yard back this year (Omarion Hampton), and the year before that had Drake Maye. He molded to his best players.”
Lindsey arrives at Michigan with an offense in flux. Star tight end Colston Loveland, running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards and the team’s best offensive lineman, tackle Myles Hinton, have all declared for the NFL draft, while the Wolverines landed five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the country.
His work with Underwood will be critical, but he’s no stranger to developing quarterbacks into NFL prospects, a list that also includes Jarrett Stidham and Nick Mullens.
But Maye remains his prized pupil, and made sure Moore and Michigan understood what they were getting.
“It was a factor,” Moore said. “Drake called me, too. It was a great conversation.”
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Recently, Michigan football fans were thrilled to hear that NFL quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, played a significant role in convincing the Wolverines to hire offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. In a surprising turn of events, Tagovailoa reached out to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and shared his positive experiences working with Lindsey during his time at Alabama.
During their phone call, Tagovailoa praised Lindsey’s innovative offensive schemes and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He emphasized how Lindsey’s coaching had a profound impact on his own career and how he believed Lindsey could help elevate Michigan’s offense to new heights.
Harbaugh was reportedly impressed by Tagovailoa’s endorsement and quickly moved to secure Lindsey as the team’s new offensive coordinator. The decision was met with excitement from Michigan fans, who are eager to see the team’s offense flourish under Lindsey’s guidance.
With Tagovailoa’s stamp of approval and Lindsey’s proven track record of success, Michigan fans have high hopes for the upcoming season. It just goes to show that a simple phone call can make a world of difference in the world of college football coaching hires.
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