Jimmy Lindsey is in his second year at Georgia Southern and serves as the defensive line coach for head coach Tyson Summers. Lindsey came to Statesboro after serving at Furman the previous four seasons. At Furman, Lindsey spent four seasons as the defensive line coach, adding the title of assistant head coach for the final season.
In his first season with the Paladins in 2012, Lindsey directed an improved defensive front that featured All-SoCon end Josh Lynn and pass rush that netted 25 sacks. In 2013, Lindsey crafted a unit that helped key Furman to a SoCon championship, headlined by consensus All-SoCon end Gary Wilkins. In 2014, Wilkins completed his collegiate career ascent under Lindsey by landing All-America honors en route to signing a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders. In 2015, freshman defensive lineman Jaylan Reid garnered SoCon All-Freshman Team honors.
Lindsey joined the Paladin program following two seasons as defensive line and special teams coach at Chattanooga, his alma mater. In his short stint at UTC, the second of his coaching career, he helped mold a Mocs’ defensive front into one of the best in the SoCon in 2011.
Four of Lindsey’s players earned All-SoCon honors in 2011, including Josh Williams, a first-team selection, and three performers - Josh Freeman, Keyon Reed, and Davis Tull - were named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team.
Lindsey served as an assistant coach at Tennessee-Martin in 2009 after working two seasons (2007-08) as defensive ends coach at Miami (Ohio), where in his first year he helped the Redhawks pace the Mid-America Conference in six statistical categories. He also served as co-special teams coordinator in charge of kickoff and punt return units.
Before Miami, he spent four years at Gardner-Webb (2003-06) coaching the defensive line and linebackers while also serving as recruiting coordinator. Harold Wells, one of Lindsey’s products, was named 2004 I-AA (FCS) Football Gazette National Defensive Lineman of the Year, and defensive end Brian Johnston was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008.
Lindsey went to Gardner-Webb from Chattanooga, where he coached UTC linebacker Josh Cain to second-team All-American honors in 2002. He spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons as a restricted earnings coach on the Mocs’ staff.
The young coach played linebacker at Chattanooga and served as a team captain in 1999, his senior season. He was a three-time member of the Dean’s List and 1999 recipient of UTC’s Marco Sheppard Mr. Hustle Award.
Lindsey, who graduated from Chattanooga in 2001 with a degree in sports administration, has served NFL Minority Coaching Internships with the San Diego Chargers (2013), Denver Broncos (2010), Detroit Lions (2008), and Cleveland Browns (2006).
He married Lauren Thomas of Chattanooga in 2015 and has a daughter, Kiara.
The Lindsey File
Personal
Hometown: Morven, N.C.
Birthday: August 22, 1977 in Cheraw, S.C.
Alma Mater: Chattanooga (2001)
Education: Bachelor’s (sports administration)
Family: wife, Lauren; daughter, Kiara
Playing Experience
Chattanooga (1996-99)
Coaching Experience
2016-: Georgia Southern (defensive line)
2015: Furman (assistant head coach/defensive line)
2012-14: Furman (defensive line)
2010-11: Chattanooga (defensive line/special teams)
2009: Tennessee-Martin (defensive line)
2007-08: Miami, Ohio (defensive ends)
2003-06: Gardner-Webb (DL/LBs/special teams/recruiting coordinator)
2002: Chattanooga (linebackers)
2000-01: Chattanooga (restricted earnings coach)
Other Coaching Experience
2013: San Diego Chargers (NFL Minority Coaching Internship)
2010: Denver Broncos (NFL Minority Coaching Internship)
2008: Detroit Lions (NFL Minority Coaching Internship)
2006: Cleveland Browns (NFL Minority Coaching Internship)
Postseason Experience
2013: Furman (FCS Playoffs - Second Round)
