Auburn hires Chip Lindsey as its offensive coordinator

Chip Lindsey is Auburn’s new offensive coordinator.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn hailed Lindsey, a former Auburn analyst who is currently Arizona State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, for his ability to develop quarterbacks, calling him “a rising star.”

He replaces Rhett Lashlee, who left earlier this month for the same position at Connecticut.

“I’m excited to welcome Chip Lindsey to the Auburn family,” Malzahn said in a statement released by the school. “I have the ultimate confidence in his ability to lead our offense and his strength in developing quarterbacks makes him the perfect fit. Chip is a man of integrity and character who will fit well within our staff. He has great knowledge and enthusiasm for the game and is a rising star in this profession.”

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Though Malzahn had long been Auburn’s primary offensive game-planner and play-caller until relinquishing those duties during the 2016 season, Lindsey is expected to call the plays for Auburn.

Lindsey, an Alabama native, was a longtime high school coach in the state before moving into college coaching. He was on Auburn’s staff in an analyst role in 2013, when the Tigers won the SEC and advanced to the BCS national championship game, spent two years at Southern Mississippi as offensive coordinator before moving to Arizona State last year.

“My family and I are excited to return to Auburn and our home state,” Lindsey said in a statement. “Both are very special place to us. I look forward to reuniting with coach Malzahn and his staff. They are great coaches and great people. I look forward to being a part of something special and helping Auburn win championships.”

Lashlee had been Malzahn’s protégé since playing quarterback for him at Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale, Ark. Though Lashlee had the title of offensive coordinator, Auburn’s offense was largely seen as Malzahn’s design. There was a sense even a year ago that Lashlee might leave because he wanted to run his own offense. Early last season, Malzahn relinquished play-calling duties to Lashlee, but when the Connecticut opening became available, Lashlee took it.

Malzahn’s reference to Lindsey’s ability to develop quarterbacks — in 2015 he coached Southern Miss’ Nick Mullens, who was Conference USA’s offensive player of the year, and as quarterback coach at Troy in 2010, he coached Corey Robinson, who was named the Sun Belt’s freshman of the year — could be critical as Auburn hopes for improved quarterback play. The position has been plagued by inconsistency and injury in the last two seasons. Jarrett Stidham, a transfer from Baylor, is widely expected to win the job for next season.