New Memphis WR coach not shying away from expectations
During a Memphis spring practice, new wide receivers coach Desmond Lindsey made it clear he’s not looking for the next Anthony Miller among the Tigers wide receiver corps.
“We want the first Damonte Coxie, the first Pop Williams, the first Mechane Slade or whoever it is,” Lindsey said in March.
It’s an attitude that respects what Miller accomplished as the Tigers’ alltime leading receiver, but also wants to see who will step up to fill his shoes and make their own name. Lindsey knows he’s also stepping into big shoes adding his place to the Tigers’ high-powered offense. After two seasons coaching wide receivers at Southern Miss, Lindsey looked forward to a new challenge of not only seeing how this group tries to replace Anthony Miller, but how they can work together to keep Norvell’s offense running smoothly.
Here are five things to know about Lindsey.
He has a track record developing wide receivers
Lindsey’s first coaching job was the
wide receivers coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In that first season, two of his wide receivers earned All-State honors. Under Lindsey’s watch last year at Southern Miss, junior receiver Korey Robertson had 1,070 yards last season with 11 touchdowns.
During his six years at West Alabama, seven receivers earned all-conference honors. Lindsey said his key to developing WRs starts with discipline.
“You want disciplined guys that are hungry learners and willing to buy into everything your program is selling,” Lindsey said.
He loves receivers’ hunger
Lindsey said that Miller’s success has served as motivation for the Tigers wide receivers. With Memphis learning hard on Miller, now a rookie with the Chicago Bears, it’s pushed this group to play with a greater edge in the spring.
He expects it to carry over into the fall as they fight for playing time and building rhythm with quarterbacks Brady White and David Moore.
“Those guys were overshadowed by Anthony Miller so it was like they weren’t getting any recognition,” Lindsay said. “That’s why they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder and now they’re given an opportunity to showcase what they have.”
He and Will Hall have a long working relationship
Memphis will be the third place Lindsey has worked with Tigers tight ends/ associate head coach Will Hall. The two previously were on the same staff at West Alabama when Hall was offensive coordinator.
In 2014, Lindsey began a two-year stint as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach at West Georgia when Hall was head coach.
“We work so well together because philosophically we’re on the same page,” Lindsey said. “I respect his thoughts and he respects my thoughts.”
He nearly majored in criminal justice
Lindsey was one semester from completing his degree in criminal justice before switching to physical education. Coaching was far from his mind, but he credited his former coach at Sumrall High School in Mississippi for helping change his career path.
“Your purpose is served best making a positive difference every day and I think you do that in this profession,” Lindsey said.
He’s known as a strong recruiter
In addition to being recruiting coordinator at West Georgia, Lindsey has ties to Mississippi from his early coaching career, his time at Southern Miss and growing up in Taylorsville.
Three of the Tigers’ current commitments in the 2019 class — Rodrigues Clark, CJ Johnson and Markevion Quinn — hail from Mississippi. Lindsey was the primary recruiter for Quinn, who committed to Memphis Wednesday night.
“Desmond has tremendous relationships in South Mississippi and throughout the region,” Norvell said in a statement when Lindsey was hired. “He’s a relentless recruiter and will be a tremendous representative of our community on and off the field.”