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ASU Football: Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey in talks with Southern Miss for head coaching job [UPDATE]

The FBS coaching carousel reopened Sunday when Southern Miss ended up with a head coaching vacancy, and ASU could be involved.

By Josh Nacion
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Just one month after taking the job as the Arizona State Sun Devils' offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey may be looking to return to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss reopened the FBS coaching carousel after head coach Todd Monken accept a offensive coordinator position for the Tampa Bay Buccanneers under former ASU coach Dirk Koetter.

According to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman, the Golden Eagles want Lindsey back:

A source told FOX Sports on Sunday night that 40-year-old Chip Lindsey, who left USM this offseason after helping the program set several offensive records to become the OC at ASU, is expected to get strong consideration for the job. Word is the AD would like to hire a coach with a strong offensive background. Lindsey turned down opportunities to become the head coach at Eastern Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe.

Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic reached out to Lindsey Monday, with Lindsey declining to comment. It's not known whether Lindsey himself is even considering the return:

Through a school spokesman, Lindsey issued a "no comment" on the Southern Miss job. He makes $550,000 in his new role at ASU. According to a USA Today Sports database, Monken last season had a base salary of $700,000 at Southern Miss.

It's hard to blame Lindsey for leaving ASU after coaching one bowl game, but Lindsey would have been a likelier candidate to replace Monken had Lindsey stayed at Southern Miss and if Monken had left earlier. The timing is unfortunate for both Southern Miss and ASU with Signing Day just nine days away.

Meanwhile, Lindsey appears to remain focus with recruiting, as the Sun Devils offered three-star 2017 running back Damon Williams Monday morning:

[UPDATE: 4:39 p.m.] Lindsey has engaged in discussions with Southern Miss regarding the job, per FootballScoop.com:

Southern Miss has engaged in significant discussions with former offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey about returning as head coach sources tell FootballScoop. Lindsey, sources tell FootballScoop, is weighing the option including considering the ramifications of the timing of accepting the opportunity. There is a possibility, we hear, of this lingering a bit longer than expected but will be pressure to make it happen. Stay tuned….

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