Michigan State University Athletics
Spring Football Update: Catching Up With Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
4/2/2025 1:25:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team held its seventh spring practice on Tuesday morning. Following practice, second-year offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren met with the media to give an update on the Spartans.
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
On the energy of practices…
We got great energy out there. Great energy, and I love the schedule. We are going three days a week with a day off in between, and I feel like we get a lot of fresh bodies out there. Great energy today. Really competitive. Put us in the red zone today; both sides making some plays with some talking and excitement out there. So, a lot of good things to learn from and teach off from the film.
On progress made from a year ago today…
Just so much. I was talking to (defensive coordinator) Joe Rossi about it, just so much further along on both sides of the ball. A lot of guys now know the offensive system and have been doing it for a year. And for the staff to have been together for that amount of time, as well. Just program wise, I think as well. And then you bring in some talented new players that we have brought in from the portal, or some of the freshmen guys that we have brought in, some talent, some guys that have had production at the college level, kind of adding to that. Very optimistic. It has been fun teaching these new guys the system.
On what they accomplished last week…
Last week, we really got into third downs. On both sides of the ball, we want to be better and improve in that area. So, big focus. Didn't get into the short yardage stuff, just different third down situations. And then on Saturday, we put the ball down and let them play a little bit. Situations kind of happened naturally and let them compete and move the ball. Got some tackling in on Saturday, as well. And some live situations; that was really good. And then, this week we moved into the red zone, got into the red area today. Just want to be more productive, more touchdowns down there. Saw some really good things. That's when we feel like that timing is the key for the quarterbacks, as far as their clock timing. Making good decisions, as far as taking a touchdown or dropping it down with the check down. And then I think we are working towards a scrimmage and more live play this Saturday.
On new additions to the team…
I like it. Recruiting staff and Coach (Jim) Michalczik did a really good job of bringing some quality guys in. Lot of guys from the portal that have some experience, and then also some new energy, some new life. They brought Luka (Vincic) in over from Oregon State, and he's been really good for that room. He brings energy with the way that those guys approach each day. It's been cool. Some of those new faces are experienced, but they are still learning techniques and differences in what we do. It's been awesome. Those guys had a great attitude about it, and I felt like they picked it up pretty good.
On practice conditions…
Oh, I love it. We are pushing to be outside as much as we can working with the QBs. Playing in this conference and some of those games that you are going to get into in October and November, to where those guys feel really confident, they have done it and operated in that, because we are going to have to do that when it gets to be a critical part of the season. I think those guys have handled it. They don't really say much. We've been pretty fortunate with the weather so far.
On Aidan Chiles playing in the cold weather…
We always tell him how many NFL teams there are in the north. So, if you want to go play at that level and be successful and play into December or January, you are going to have to be able to play in that weather. He's had a great attitude about it. Going to Oregon initially, it was raining quite a bit out there, so he got to feel that and then a little colder out here this way. He has had a great attitude about it, and it hasn't really affected him.
On Nick Marsh's progression…
Nick had a great year, but I still think there is a lot to his game that he can take to the next level, and as far as detail of routes or technique things, I think he's working on. Just the whole game of, 'okay, how does he play away from the ball, being involved as a blocker in the run game that way?'. Man, I think he has had a really good offseason and got himself in really good shape and condition. It's been fun to watch him play.
On Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis at the RB position…
Those guys, going into year two, they have had a year to kind of learn it, they are not thinking as much, they are able to go out and play and react. I think another year with our strength staff, getting themselves stronger and better condition that way. I just think things are slowing down for them a little bit as far as the mental piece of it to where they can go out and make plays. I have been impressed. Each kind of ripped some pretty good runs in the live situation that we did on Saturday. So, there has been a lot of really good competition, bringing in Elijah (Tau-Tolliver) from Sacramento State, as well. He (Tau-Tolliver) had a really good run on Saturday, as well. So, just keep continuing to get those guys reps and feel out what their strengths are, what they can handle, and who gives us the best chance.
On Aidan Chiles going into year two…
I think last year was a great learning opportunity for him. Things just didn't go as smoothly, (didn't achieve) as much success as he was hoping for. I think he has an awesome attitude of 'hey, he's hungry, these are the areas I really got to improve on.' Some of the pieces we've brought in up front and on the perimeter, some of those experienced guys on that outside that have some productivity, I think those guys will help him, along with Nick [Marsh], and some of the returners that we've got going, so being better around him. For Aidan [Chiles], we've really been on him, as far as understanding the defenses; being able to ID these defenses and understand where the weaknesses are, how to attack them, I think that helps as a quarterback, moving into his second year, helps things slow down for you a little bit that way. And then his clock, his footwork timing, his feet into the routes. I think last year, he was a little bit off at times, and that really affected some of the accuracy and timing of things. And then his subtle movements in the pocket. Sometimes he was a little extreme. If the first read wasn't there, he got himself in a not very good position, where he wasn't able to get to the second or third read in his progression, he was just bailing out and scrambling too quick, and we missed some opportunities that way. He's seen that stuff up on film, and I love the attitude that he has had moving forward. I am excited for him. I feel that he has gotten a lot better through the first seven practices.
On new additions to the WR room…
You bring in experienced guys, you know Omari (Kelly) has played a lot of football and he's had a lot of production. We've been working him more at the Z position, and man, I have been really impressed. He's made a couple of really good plays on some 1 on 1 balls in the red zone today. Rod Bullard, man, he's done some good things with speed. I think he can play inside and outside. [Chrishon] McCray, he's probably been more in the slot, but man, another guy that is pretty dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's made some plays on some plays with the ball down the field…And [Evan] Boyd. Boyd has been a big, physical guy working out at that X position and I have been impressed with him. He has done a nice job. Great separation, particularly on some of the underneath routes – slants and stuff like that, being a physical guy. And then you got some of the guys that are returning. I feel like we have more depth in that room, and more speed…(Charles) Taplin, the young freshman that we've got, I've been really impressed with his speed and ability to stretch the field. We've got some pieces in there, and those guys are getting better each practice. I am excited moving forward with that.
On Alante Brown…
He was just so dinged up (last year) and could never get in the groove. We just kind of put him in that backup slot, and we got him involved in some fly sweeps and tried to get him some touches that way. I think if he can get back healthy, hopefully he can just build up that way and become a more consistent guy to get him into a little bit more of a rhythm.
On installing the offense…
We are pushing with the install, under the assumption that these guys are going to stay. And hopefully, with our install, getting them excited about the install. 'This is how we can use you or you can have success here' and really showing them and giving them that confidence about going out and executing it and having success with it. We are going pretty aggressive with it and pushing them a little bit on it. We are surrounded by good coaches that we feel we can teach it that way. That's what's really nice about going five weeks, and going Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday is you got those off days in between, to where you can really dive into the film and then kind of get ahead on the install. We are going full head of steam with the install and trying to create buy-in with what we are doing and the way we are teaching it to create an excitement about our offense.
On the QB room behind Aidan Chiles…
I think those guys are going to get a lot of reps. Leo (Hannan) is still young and still learning it that way, and he's had some good reps when he's gotten in there. I think Ryland (Jessee) and Alessio (Milivojevic), just being in the system for a year, kind of taking that next step. Each of those guys have made some plays. Alessio, I have been pretty impressed with his consistency for a younger guy right now. I like both of those guys' skillsets. I'm excited for them to keep progressing and taking the next step as we move through the spring. Competition, we are just rotating all those guys through.
On Alessio Milivojevic's freshman year in 2024 and becoming the third quarterback…
I just think the way that he picked up the offense pretty good. He showed pretty good maturity for a freshman as far as picking it up and being comfortable with it. And then very accurate with his throwing. I felt like he was able to find a lot of completions and did a nice job in the scrimmages. But ultimately, it goes with that trust factor. We trusted him with his understanding that he could get us into the right place, be smart with the decision making, and we felt like at that point in time he would have given us the best chance if we were to get to the third spot.
On having Jon Boyer as QB coach…
It's been a little bit unique. In my career, I have never had that. They tweaked the rule a little bit (having more on-field assistant coaches), but Jon and I have been working at Oregon State, we were five years together and talked a lot last year. He is a really knowledgeable coach and it's been awesome, because it's really been two guys focusing and he's been able to dive into the technique and spend a lot of time breaking it down, working with those guys extra. I think about Aidan with his footwork, with his subtle movement and clock, and then there's some things mechanically with some of our younger guys that he has been willing to dive into, sometimes as the coordinator that you just didn't necessarily have as much time to be able to do that because you were worried about the scheme and the whole offense. I think it has also allowed me to be around and touch base with some of the other position groups and be around some of those other guys better and a little bit more. I've enjoyed it so far. It's a little bit different but it's definitely helped being around somebody that I have worked with for five years. We've worked QBs together, and I trust and have great respect for his knowledge of the game and his quarterbacks. Just makes it a lot easier.
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
On the energy of practices…
We got great energy out there. Great energy, and I love the schedule. We are going three days a week with a day off in between, and I feel like we get a lot of fresh bodies out there. Great energy today. Really competitive. Put us in the red zone today; both sides making some plays with some talking and excitement out there. So, a lot of good things to learn from and teach off from the film.
On progress made from a year ago today…
Just so much. I was talking to (defensive coordinator) Joe Rossi about it, just so much further along on both sides of the ball. A lot of guys now know the offensive system and have been doing it for a year. And for the staff to have been together for that amount of time, as well. Just program wise, I think as well. And then you bring in some talented new players that we have brought in from the portal, or some of the freshmen guys that we have brought in, some talent, some guys that have had production at the college level, kind of adding to that. Very optimistic. It has been fun teaching these new guys the system.
On what they accomplished last week…
Last week, we really got into third downs. On both sides of the ball, we want to be better and improve in that area. So, big focus. Didn't get into the short yardage stuff, just different third down situations. And then on Saturday, we put the ball down and let them play a little bit. Situations kind of happened naturally and let them compete and move the ball. Got some tackling in on Saturday, as well. And some live situations; that was really good. And then, this week we moved into the red zone, got into the red area today. Just want to be more productive, more touchdowns down there. Saw some really good things. That's when we feel like that timing is the key for the quarterbacks, as far as their clock timing. Making good decisions, as far as taking a touchdown or dropping it down with the check down. And then I think we are working towards a scrimmage and more live play this Saturday.
On new additions to the team…
I like it. Recruiting staff and Coach (Jim) Michalczik did a really good job of bringing some quality guys in. Lot of guys from the portal that have some experience, and then also some new energy, some new life. They brought Luka (Vincic) in over from Oregon State, and he's been really good for that room. He brings energy with the way that those guys approach each day. It's been cool. Some of those new faces are experienced, but they are still learning techniques and differences in what we do. It's been awesome. Those guys had a great attitude about it, and I felt like they picked it up pretty good.
On practice conditions…
Oh, I love it. We are pushing to be outside as much as we can working with the QBs. Playing in this conference and some of those games that you are going to get into in October and November, to where those guys feel really confident, they have done it and operated in that, because we are going to have to do that when it gets to be a critical part of the season. I think those guys have handled it. They don't really say much. We've been pretty fortunate with the weather so far.
On Aidan Chiles playing in the cold weather…
We always tell him how many NFL teams there are in the north. So, if you want to go play at that level and be successful and play into December or January, you are going to have to be able to play in that weather. He's had a great attitude about it. Going to Oregon initially, it was raining quite a bit out there, so he got to feel that and then a little colder out here this way. He has had a great attitude about it, and it hasn't really affected him.
On Nick Marsh's progression…
Nick had a great year, but I still think there is a lot to his game that he can take to the next level, and as far as detail of routes or technique things, I think he's working on. Just the whole game of, 'okay, how does he play away from the ball, being involved as a blocker in the run game that way?'. Man, I think he has had a really good offseason and got himself in really good shape and condition. It's been fun to watch him play.
On Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis at the RB position…
Those guys, going into year two, they have had a year to kind of learn it, they are not thinking as much, they are able to go out and play and react. I think another year with our strength staff, getting themselves stronger and better condition that way. I just think things are slowing down for them a little bit as far as the mental piece of it to where they can go out and make plays. I have been impressed. Each kind of ripped some pretty good runs in the live situation that we did on Saturday. So, there has been a lot of really good competition, bringing in Elijah (Tau-Tolliver) from Sacramento State, as well. He (Tau-Tolliver) had a really good run on Saturday, as well. So, just keep continuing to get those guys reps and feel out what their strengths are, what they can handle, and who gives us the best chance.
On Aidan Chiles going into year two…
I think last year was a great learning opportunity for him. Things just didn't go as smoothly, (didn't achieve) as much success as he was hoping for. I think he has an awesome attitude of 'hey, he's hungry, these are the areas I really got to improve on.' Some of the pieces we've brought in up front and on the perimeter, some of those experienced guys on that outside that have some productivity, I think those guys will help him, along with Nick [Marsh], and some of the returners that we've got going, so being better around him. For Aidan [Chiles], we've really been on him, as far as understanding the defenses; being able to ID these defenses and understand where the weaknesses are, how to attack them, I think that helps as a quarterback, moving into his second year, helps things slow down for you a little bit that way. And then his clock, his footwork timing, his feet into the routes. I think last year, he was a little bit off at times, and that really affected some of the accuracy and timing of things. And then his subtle movements in the pocket. Sometimes he was a little extreme. If the first read wasn't there, he got himself in a not very good position, where he wasn't able to get to the second or third read in his progression, he was just bailing out and scrambling too quick, and we missed some opportunities that way. He's seen that stuff up on film, and I love the attitude that he has had moving forward. I am excited for him. I feel that he has gotten a lot better through the first seven practices.
On new additions to the WR room…
You bring in experienced guys, you know Omari (Kelly) has played a lot of football and he's had a lot of production. We've been working him more at the Z position, and man, I have been really impressed. He's made a couple of really good plays on some 1 on 1 balls in the red zone today. Rod Bullard, man, he's done some good things with speed. I think he can play inside and outside. [Chrishon] McCray, he's probably been more in the slot, but man, another guy that is pretty dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's made some plays on some plays with the ball down the field…And [Evan] Boyd. Boyd has been a big, physical guy working out at that X position and I have been impressed with him. He has done a nice job. Great separation, particularly on some of the underneath routes – slants and stuff like that, being a physical guy. And then you got some of the guys that are returning. I feel like we have more depth in that room, and more speed…(Charles) Taplin, the young freshman that we've got, I've been really impressed with his speed and ability to stretch the field. We've got some pieces in there, and those guys are getting better each practice. I am excited moving forward with that.
On Alante Brown…
He was just so dinged up (last year) and could never get in the groove. We just kind of put him in that backup slot, and we got him involved in some fly sweeps and tried to get him some touches that way. I think if he can get back healthy, hopefully he can just build up that way and become a more consistent guy to get him into a little bit more of a rhythm.
On installing the offense…
We are pushing with the install, under the assumption that these guys are going to stay. And hopefully, with our install, getting them excited about the install. 'This is how we can use you or you can have success here' and really showing them and giving them that confidence about going out and executing it and having success with it. We are going pretty aggressive with it and pushing them a little bit on it. We are surrounded by good coaches that we feel we can teach it that way. That's what's really nice about going five weeks, and going Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday is you got those off days in between, to where you can really dive into the film and then kind of get ahead on the install. We are going full head of steam with the install and trying to create buy-in with what we are doing and the way we are teaching it to create an excitement about our offense.
On the QB room behind Aidan Chiles…
I think those guys are going to get a lot of reps. Leo (Hannan) is still young and still learning it that way, and he's had some good reps when he's gotten in there. I think Ryland (Jessee) and Alessio (Milivojevic), just being in the system for a year, kind of taking that next step. Each of those guys have made some plays. Alessio, I have been pretty impressed with his consistency for a younger guy right now. I like both of those guys' skillsets. I'm excited for them to keep progressing and taking the next step as we move through the spring. Competition, we are just rotating all those guys through.
On Alessio Milivojevic's freshman year in 2024 and becoming the third quarterback…
I just think the way that he picked up the offense pretty good. He showed pretty good maturity for a freshman as far as picking it up and being comfortable with it. And then very accurate with his throwing. I felt like he was able to find a lot of completions and did a nice job in the scrimmages. But ultimately, it goes with that trust factor. We trusted him with his understanding that he could get us into the right place, be smart with the decision making, and we felt like at that point in time he would have given us the best chance if we were to get to the third spot.
On having Jon Boyer as QB coach…
It's been a little bit unique. In my career, I have never had that. They tweaked the rule a little bit (having more on-field assistant coaches), but Jon and I have been working at Oregon State, we were five years together and talked a lot last year. He is a really knowledgeable coach and it's been awesome, because it's really been two guys focusing and he's been able to dive into the technique and spend a lot of time breaking it down, working with those guys extra. I think about Aidan with his footwork, with his subtle movement and clock, and then there's some things mechanically with some of our younger guys that he has been willing to dive into, sometimes as the coordinator that you just didn't necessarily have as much time to be able to do that because you were worried about the scheme and the whole offense. I think it has also allowed me to be around and touch base with some of the other position groups and be around some of those other guys better and a little bit more. I've enjoyed it so far. It's a little bit different but it's definitely helped being around somebody that I have worked with for five years. We've worked QBs together, and I trust and have great respect for his knowledge of the game and his quarterbacks. Just makes it a lot easier.
Players Mentioned
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