When the Trojans kickoff the season on Saturday against Campbell, new head coach Chip Lindsey will officially begin is career as a collegiate head football coach.

Lindsey, who spent time a Troy as an assistant coach earlier in his career, has coached at the high school level for more than 10 years in Alabama and Georgia, but up until now has not gotten the taste of the collegiate game as the man in charge.

“There isn’t a lot different to be honest with you,” Lindsey said. “I have a good staff, we have players that I enjoy being around and it’s one of those things where we are ready for Saturday.”

Lindsey arrived in Troy in January and in the last seven months, Troy has felt like home.

“This community has been great. They have been great for me and for my family. Going out to eat and doing different things, people are coming up and saying hello. You can tell there is a passion here for Troy football and this university. That’s what makes the job attractive.”

Lindsey brought along a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Ryan Pugh and he also promoted former linebackers coach Brandon Hall, both of whom believe that Lindsey is more than ready to lead the team on Saturday.

“I am sure he has some anxiety,” Pugh said. “It’s his first game as a head coach, but if he is nervous he isn’t showing it. We have a great staff that works together and knowing coach Lindsey the way I do, I think he is more excited than nervous if that makes any sense. He has been waiting for this day for a long time.”

Lindsey spent six years as a high school head coach and because of that, Hall believes he is ready to go. As for himself, Hall is just ready to play.

“Chip’s not nervous. He’s been a head coach. This is old hat for him,” Hall said. “I’m not so much nervous. I’m just ready for it to be here. The longer it goes on, you keep looking at more things. … Every time I start feeling good about something one of my assistant coaches brings me something (else) to cover.”