Brian Lindgren - Football Coach - Michigan State University Athletics

Brian Lindgren

Title:
Offensive Coordinator
Email:
football@msu.edu
Phone:
355-1647

Brian Lindgren, who has more than 15 years of experience as an offensive coordinator, enters his second season as Michigan State’s offensive coordinator in 2025. Lindgren joined Jonathan Smith's MSU staff as the Spartans' offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in December 2023.

"Brian has an established offensive identity as a play caller for the past 15 seasons," said Smith. "He also has an impressive track record of finding and developing talent. He has mentored several quarterbacks who have experienced tremendous success at this level."

Lindgren helped mentor Aidan Chiles in 2024 during Chiles’ first season as a starting quarterback. Chiles became just the sixth Spartan sophomore QB to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season (2,415) and ranked ninth in the Big Ten in total offense (220.0 ypg) while starting all 12 games.

Prior to arriving to MSU, Lindgren was with Smith at Oregon State for six seasons (2018-23) and helped build the Beavers into one of the most consistent offensive teams in the Pac-12. Lindgren was a two-time nominee for the 2019 and 2021 Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coaches. He coached eight NFL Draft picks and multiple All-Americans and first-team All-Pac-12 honorees during his Oregon State tenure.

In 2023, the Oregon State offense finished the regular season fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring offense (33.8 ppg), total offense (426.9 ypg) and total offense yards per play (6.56). OSU was also second in the Pac-12 in yards per carry (5.06), while ranking third in rushing TDs (26), fourth in rushing attempts per game (35.8) and fifth in rushing yards per game (180.8). In addition, the Beavers were extremely productive in the red zone, finishing No. 1 in the FBS in both red zone offense (.976, 41-of-42 scoring) and red zone TD rate (.786, 33-of-42). Through the air, OSU was seventh in the Pac-12 in both passing yards per game (246.1) and passing TDs (25), while ranking fourth in fewest interceptions (7).

Additionally, the Beavers' offensive line was recognized as one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the nation's top offensive line. OSU also earned the recognition in 2021.

In 2023, under Lindgren's play calling, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw a career-high 2,638 passing yards (219.8 ypg) in addition to his 21 touchdown passes. He also rushed for six touchdowns and 219 yards.

Sophomore running back Damien Martinez was named first-team All-Pac-12 for the second year in a row and was a Doak Walker semifinalist after ranking second in the Pac-12 and 20th in the FBS during the regular-season in rushing (98.8 ypg). He also ranked second in the conference in both rushing yards (1,185) and rushing attempts per game (16.2). Martinez was also fifth in yards per carry (6.11) and tied for sixth in rushing TDs (9). He scored six rushing TDs in a two-game span (vs. Stanford and vs. Washington), becoming the first Beaver to do that since Jacquizz Rodgers in 2010. Martinez finished the 2023 regular season with 1,185 rushing yards, ranking him at No. 13 in the Oregon State single-season record books; he went on to get selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Seattle.

Six Beavers overall were named to either the first or second All-Pac-12 Team in 2023.

Three different Beaver running backs earned first-team Pac-12 postseason honors in Lindgren's offense (Martinez in 2022 and 2023; B.J. Baylor in 2021; Jermar Jefferson in 2020). Prior to Lindgren's arrival in Corvallis in 2018, Oregon State hadn't had a first-team all-conference running back since 2010.

Jefferson rushed for 1,380 yards in 2018, Baylor ran for 1,337 yards in 2021 and Martinez collected 982 yards in 2022. Additionally, Martinez was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American in 2022, as well as earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors three times during the season.

Jefferson finished his career fifth in OSU history with 2,923 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns and 15 100-yard rush efforts. He was also named the AP Pac-12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, as well as the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2018. In 2019, Jefferson and Artavis Pierce became the first Oregon State running back teammates to each reach 2,000-plus career yards rushing. After forgoing his senior season of 2021, Jefferson was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions; he recently spent the 2024 season with the Lions.

Lindgren also mentored successful quarterbacks at OSU, as Jake Luton and Chance Nolan both earned All-Pac-12 accolades. Nolan was second in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency in 2021 (148.29), while also leading the 2019 Beaver offense that led the nation for fewest turnovers committed (6) and in Red Zone TD rate (84.6 percent).

Luton was one of three players in the FBS with 25-plus touchdown passes (28) and three or fewer interceptions (3) during the 2019 season. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is presently with the Carolina Panthers.

In 2022, the Beavers' offense lit up the scoreboards to the tune of 32.2 points per game, the best by an OSU offense since 2012 and fifth highest by a Beaver team since 1996. The 2021 OSU offense under Lindgren amassed 5,581 yards, the fourth-best at OSU in a 13-game season, after ringing up 4,941 yards of total offense in 2019, the third highest in OSU program history for a 12-game season, as the offense set a new school record by averaging 6.4 yards per play.

Prior to Oregon State, Lindgren was offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Colorado from 2013-17. He helped lead the Buffaloes to the 2016 Alamo Bowl, which was CU's first bowl game in nine seasons. Lindgren also helped the Buffs to an 8-1 league mark and the Pac-12 South Division title.

In 2013, Lindgren was a finalist for the Quarterback Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com.

Under Lindgren's tutelage, Colorado quarterbacks Sefo Liufau and signal-caller Steven Montez combined to set numerous school records for the Buffs. Additionally, wide receiver Nelson Spruce set CU career marks for receptions (294), receiving yards (3,347) and touchdown catches (23).

Running back Phillip Lindsay became the Buffs' all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,760 and yards from scrimmage 4,683 (5,926 and 4,849 including the 2016 Alamo Bowl, but CU does not include bowl stats in career numbers). Lindsay finished as the Buffs' second all-time leading rusher with 3,707 yards and was the first player in CU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and just the second to have two total.

Before Lindgren's stint in Boulder, he was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at San José State in 2012, helping lead the Spartans to an 11-2 season, SJSU's most wins in a season in over 70 years. San José State won the 2012 Military Bowl, earning SJSU's first postseason game in six years. Under Lindgren, the Spartans broke 27 passing and receiving records. He mentored quarterback David Fales and tight end Ryan Otten to All-American honors. Fales threw for 4,193 passing yards and 33 TDs, against just nine interceptions to lead the FBS in completion percentage (.725), and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Prior to San José State, Lindgren began his coaching career at Northern Arizona, starting off as a graduate assistant working with the wide receivers in 2006, helping the Lumberjacks lead the FCS in scoring and total offense. The next season he earned his first full-time job as NAU's running backs coach, mentoring the running back duo of Lionel Scott and Alex Henderson to first-team All-Big Sky Conference accolades. In 2008, Lindgren became the passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach, before becoming offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2009-11. The 2009 Lumberjack offense ranked fifth in the FCS in total offense and passing offense.

Lindgren was a three-year letterwinner at quarterback at Idaho, passing for 6,541 career yards with 44 touchdowns as a three-year starter. He threw an Idaho school-record six touchdown passes in 48-38 win over San Diego State on Sept. 22, 2002. Lindgren was a three-time Sun Belt Conference Academic Team member, and was the recipient of the Kathy Clark Scholar-Athlete Award, presented to the top Idaho GPA for graduating seniors.

A native of Walla Walla, Washington, Lindgren earned his bachelor's degree in business marketing from Idaho in 2004, and his master's degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona in 2007. Lindgren and his spouse, Bradee, have three children, Bronson, Brooks and Blake.

THE LINDGREN FILE

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
• Receivers graduate assistant coach at Northern Arizona (2006)
• Running back coach at Northern Arizona (2007)
• Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona (2008)
• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona (2009-11)
• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at San José State (2012)
• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Colorado (2013-17)
• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Oregon State (2018-2023)
• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Michigan State (2024-)

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College – Three-year letterwinner as a quarterback at Idaho (2001-03).

POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
• 2012 Military Bowl (San Jose State)
• 2016 Alamo Bowl (Colorado)
• 2021 LA Bowl (Oregon State)
• 2022 Las Vegas Bowl (Oregon State)

NFL DRAFT PICKS (14):
2025: OG Luke Newman (Michigan State; 6th round, No. 195 overall, Chicago); RB Damien Martinez (Oregon State/Miami; 7th round, Seattle, No. 223 overall, Seattle)
2024: OT Taliese Fauga (Oregon State; 1^st round, No. 14 overall, New Orleans); WR Anthony Gould (Oregon State; 5^th round, No. 142 overall, Indianapolis)
2023: TE Luke Musgrave (Oregon State; 2nd round, No. 42 overall, Green Bay)
2022: TE Teagan Quitoriano (Oregon State; 5th round, No. 170 overall, Houston)
2021: RB Jermar Jefferson (Oregon State; 7th round, No. 257 overall, Detroit)
2020: QB Jake Luton (Oregon State; 6th round, No. 189 overall, Jacksonville); OT Blake Brandel (Oregon State; 6th round, No. 203 overall, Minnesota); WR Isaiah Hodgins (Oregon State; 6th round, No. 207 overall, Buffalo)
2019: WR Juwann Winfree (Colorado; 6th round, No. 187 overall, Denver)
2014: WR Paul Richardson (Colorado; 2nd round, No. 45 overall, Seattle); QB David Fales (San Jose State; 6th round, No. 183 overall, Chicago)
2013: OL David Quessenberry (San Jose State; 6th round, No. 176 overall)

ALL-AMERICANS (2):
2023: OL Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State; 1st team, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, PFF); OL Tanner Miller (Oregon State; 2nd team, ESPN)

FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE (13 PLAYERS; 15 SELECTIONS):
2023 (3; Oregon State, Pac-12): OL Taliese Fuaga; OL Jake Levengood; RB Damien Martinez
2022 (2; Oregon State, Pac-12): AP Jack Colletto; RB Damien Martinez
2021 (2; Oregon State, Pac-12): RB B.J. Baylor; OL Nathan Eldridge
2020 (2; Oregon State, Pac-12): OL Nathan Eldridge; RB Jermar Jefferson
2013 (1; Colorado, Big 12): WR Paul Richardson
2011 (1; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): RB Zach Bauman
2010 (1; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): OG Kris Poindexter
2009 (2; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): WR Ed Berry; RB Alex Henderson
2006 (1; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): WR Alex Watson

ADDITIONAL ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES (69 SELECTIONS):
2024 (1; Michigan State, Big Ten): OL Luke Newman (HM)
2023 (4; Oregon State, Pac-12): OL Joshua Gray (2^nd), OL Tanner Miller (2^nd), TE Jack Velling (2^nd), WR Anthony Gould (HM)
2022 (4; Oregon State, Pac-12): OL Taliese Fuaga (2^nd), OL Joshua Gray (2^nd), WR Tre’Shaun Harrison (HM), OL Brandon Kipper (HM)
2021 (7; Oregon State, Pac-12): AP Jack Colletto (2^nd), WR Trevon Bradford (HM), OL Joshua Gray (HM), OL Nous Keobounnam (HM), OL Brandon Kipper (HM), QB Chance Nolan (HM), TE Teagan Quitoriano (HM)
2020 (4; Oregon State, Pac-12): OL Joshua Gray (2nd), WR Isaac Hodgins (WR), OL Nous Keobounnam (HM), TE Teagan Quitoriano (HM)
2019 (4; Oregon State, Pac-12): WR Isaiah Hodgins (HM), OL Brandon Kipper (HM), QB Jake Luton (HM), TE Noah Togiai (HM)
2018 (3; Oregon State, Pac-12): WR Trevon Bradford (HM), WR Isaiah Hodgins (HM), RB Jermar Jefferson (HM)
2017 (3; Colorado, Pac-12): OT Jeromy Irvin (2^nd), RB Phillip Lindsay (HM), QB Steven Montez (HM)
2016 (8; Colorado, Pac-12): OT Jeromy Irvin (2^nd), RB Phillip Lindsay (2^nd), WR Bryce Bobo (HM), WR Shay Fields (HM), C Alex Kelley (HM), OG Gerrard Kough (HM), QB Sefo Liufau (HM), WR Devin Ross (HM)
2015 (2; Colorado, Pac-12): WR Nelson Spruce (2^nd), TE Sean Irvin (HM)
2014 (3; Colorado, Pac-12): WR Nelson Spruce (2^nd), QB Sefo Liufau (HM), OG Daniel Munyer (HM)
2013 (1; Colorado, Pac-12): RB Michael Adkins (HM)
2012 (2; San Jose State, WAC): QB David Fales (2^nd), WR Chandler Jones (2^nd)
2011 (8; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): C Alex Mott (2^nd), FB Jake Hess (2^nd), WR Khalil Paden (HM), OT Trey Gilleo (HM), OG Dwight Boyd (HM), OG Kyle Walker (HM), TE Brian Riley (HM), QB Cary Grossart (HM)
2010 (8; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): WR Austin Shanks (2nd), WR Daiveun Curry-Chapman (2^nd), RB Zach Bauman (2^nd), FB Calvin Paciulli (2^nd), OT Trey Gilleo (HM), OG Alex Mott (HM), TE Nick Larson (HM), QB Michael Herrick (HM)
2009 (7; Northern Arizona, Big Sky): OT Ryne Holstrom (2^nd), QB Michael Herrick (2^nd), WR Conrad Meadows (HM), WR Curt Sweeney (HM), OG Kris Poindexter (HM), C Jeff Hines (HM), TE Shaun Fitzpatrick (HM)