The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 25 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL total defense (330.9) and 10th in scoring defense (17.3). Just making a bowl game wasn't the goal this year, but Moore said weeks ago it was critical for the development of the program and the younger players. They'll now get a chance to take another step against a very good opponent. "I think it's huge," Moore said. "It's huge for the program, obviously, playing another game, getting another chance to play with your team. "But building on the future … getting more practices — it's like another spring ball for the young guys. It's more foot- ball for the guys that keep getting better at football, so it's huge for us and huge for the program." UNC'S CHIP LINDSEY NAMED OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore took steps he feels will improve his of- fense after the Wolverines struggled mightily on that side of the ball in 2024. Moore replaced offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell with former North Caro- lina OC Chip Lindsey in a move final- ized Dec. 13. "Coach Lindsey is an innovative of- fensive mind who likes to run and pass the ball with great efficiency and bal- ance," Moore said. "After spending a considerable amount of time together, I knew that Chip was the right fit to co- ordinate our offense. We share the same philosophy regarding structure, scheme and player development, and I know his leadership of the offense will place our players in the best position to succeed." The 50-year-old Lindsey worked under Gus Malzahn at Auburn from 2017-18 be- fore taking the head coaching job at Troy. He went 15-19 there in three years before rejoining Malzahn at UCF as offensive co- ordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2022, leading the Knights' offense to a No. 26 ranking nationally in scoring, No. 11 in yards per game and No. 8 in rushing. He went on to serve as North Carolina's OC for 2023 and '24. UNC finished 37th in total offense this year with 423.4 yards per game, 35th in scoring at 32.3 points per game and 31st in rushing offense (189.5). The Tar Heels were dynamic in 2023, averaging 491.2 yards per contest (7th nationally) and 34.5 points per game (20th), passing for 292.2 yards per game (14th) and rushing for 192.1 yards a con- test (19th). With future NFL signal-caller Drake Maye at the helm that year, they were one of only two programs to pass for at least 299 yards per game and rush for at least 192 yards per game. Campbell, meanwhile, leaves U-M after serving as an analyst in 2022 and quarterbacks coach in 2023. He was of- fensive coordinator for just this season, during which Michigan ranked 128th in total offense nationally — ahead of only Iowa and the service academies in pass- ing offense. "This was a decision that I felt was in the best interest of our football pro- gram," Moore said. "I want to thank Kirk for his hard work and dedication to the university, Michigan football and our student-athletes. I wish him well in his future coaching endeavors." — Chris Balas U-M ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHEDULE Michigan announced its 2025 foot- ball schedule Dec. 10 upon the Big Ten's release of the dates for its previously announced conference matchups next year. Unlike 2024, which started with five straight home games, the Wolverines will only play one home game apiece in August and September, travel to Okla- homa in the second week of the season and open the Big Ten season on the road at Nebraska Sept. 20. The Wolverines will have two byes on the schedule and play four conference games at home and five on the road. Of note — the Wolverines will travel to Nebraska for the first conference game in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers will likely continue to get better, and that's a tough environment. That would be U-M's fourth game of the year, though, and time for Michigan to improve from the opener until then. The first game with New Mexico, Aug. 30, should be a cakewalk, but a game at Oklahoma, head coach Sher- rone Moore's alma mater, Sept. 6 should tell us a lot about this U-M team. The only September home game, Central Michigan Sept. 13, is another easier one before the conference opener. Following a bye, Michigan will then host Wisconsin Oct. 4, head to USC Oct. 11, host Washington Oct. 18, and travel to Michigan State Oct. 25 for the October slate. November would start with a Nov. 1 home game with Purdue followed by a second bye, trips to Northwestern Nov. 15 (likely at Wrigley Field) and to Maryland Nov. 22 will precede the Nov. 29 finale with Ohio State in Ann Arbor. Seven of these opponents had los- ing seasons in 2024, four finished at .500 and only one — Ohio State, which Michigan defeated, 13-10 — posted a winning overall record this fall. — Chris Balas DOMINIC ZVADA HEADLINES U-M'S ALL-BIG TEN PICKS; MASON GRAHAM NAMED FIRST- TEAM ALL-AMERICAN The Big Ten Conference announced its annual awards for football follow- ing the conclusion of the 2024 regular Lindsey — a former head coach at Troy and offensive coordinator at North Carolina, Central Florida and Auburn — replaced Kirk Campbell as Michigan's OC. PHOTO COURTESY UNC ATHLETICS 2025 MICHIGAN SCHEDULE Date Opponent (2024 record) Aug. 30 New Mexico (5-7) Sept. 6 at Oklahoma (6-6) Sept. 13 Central Michigan (4-8) Sept. 20 at Nebraska (6-6) Sept. 27 BYE Oct. 4 Wisconsin (5-7) Oct. 11 at USC (6-6) Oct. 18 Washington (6-6) Oct. 25 at Michigan State (5-7) Nov. 1 Purdue (1-11) Nov. 8 BYE Nov. 15 at Northwestern (4-8) Nov. 22 at Maryland (4-8) Nov. 29 Ohio State (10-2)