The Nussie File

[Ed. Per unnamed source, they called him “Nussie” at Lakeridge High.  The rest of the story via U-M Media Relations..]

Hoke Names Doug Nussmeier as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke announced today (Thursday, Jan. 9) the hiring of Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wolverines. Nussmeier comes to Ann Arbor after spending the past two seasons in the same capacity at the University of Alabama.

“Doug is a highly respected offensive coordinator and has earned a reputation as being a great mentor to quarterbacks, specifically, where he’s coached Pro Bowlers, top NFL draft choices and Heisman trophy finalists,” said Hoke. “Doug has been successful at every coaching stop with his balanced and explosive offenses, and he brings national championship experience. He is an excellent addition to our coaching staff and football program, and we are excited to have Doug, Christi and their children join the Michigan family.”

“I am extremely excited to join the University of Michigan and work with Brady Hoke, the staff and players,” said Nussmeier. “I’m proud of what we accomplished in two seasons at Alabama, and I owe a great deal to Coach Saban for that opportunity. Michigan is a program I’ve always had deep respect for, and I’m looking forward to getting started in Ann Arbor and being a part of the great tradition there.”

Nussmeier has been instrumental in the development of quarterbacks during his coaching career, mentoring Alabama’s AJ McCarron, Washington’s Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans) and Keith Price, Michigan State’s Drew Stanton and Jeff Smoker and the St. Louis Rams’ Marc Bulger.

Nussmeier spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons coordinating the offense and tutoring the quarterbacks in Tuscaloosa. During those two seasons, the Crimson Tide offense was one of the most balanced units in the country and set school records in most offensive categories.

Alabama set records for rushing and passing touchdowns, total points scored and total offense during the 2012 national championship season. In addition, the Crimson Tide led the nation in pass efficiency. The 2012 campaign marked the first time in school history that Alabama rushed and passed for 3,000 yards each in a single season.

The Crimson Tide continued their offensive efficiency in 2013. Alabama was seventh nationally in pass efficiency and 17th in both scoring offense and third down percentage. The Tide averaged over 200 yards on the ground and through the air. McCarron was eighth in pass efficiency after leading the nation the previous year.

“Doug did an outstanding job for us during his time at the University of Alabama and I’m sure he will do a great job at the University of Michigan,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “He is a bright coach who works hard and brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to work each and every day. Our production and balance the last two years has been very good and he also brought a lot to the table in terms of coaching the quarterbacks. AJ had one of the best seasons and careers of any quarterback here, and that says a lot when you look at the history and tradition of that position at Alabama. We wish Doug and his family the best and appreciate all they did to help us be successful with the program at Alabama.”

The Washington Huskies offensive unit improved statistically in each of Nussmeier’s three seasons. The offense doubled its scoring output during his first season (2009), led by the passing of Locker and running of Chris Polk. The production was better in 2010, with a balanced attack that gained 2,238 rushing yards and 2,475 passing yards. Polk gained 1,415 rushing yards, the second-best total in school history, and Locker completed his career ranked first or second in every major passing category. Locker was the eighth overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

In his final season at Washington, the offense scored 57 touchdowns and 434 points to finish with the second highest totals in school history; behind only the 1991 national championship team. Nussmeier coached first-year starter Price, who set school records for passing TDs, completion percentage and pass efficiency. Price was seventh nationally in pass efficiency and Polk ranked 16th nationally in rushing.

Nussmeier was the offensive coordinator at Fresno State during the 2008 season. Prior to joining the Bulldogs staff, Nussmeier was the quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis Rams. He mentored Bulger, who led the Rams to the league’s fourth-rated passing offense in both 2006 and 2007. Bulger was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006, finishing the year with 4,301 passing yards, 24 TDs and only eight interceptions.

Before his coaching stint with the Rams, Nussmeier was the quarterbacks coach at Michigan State for three seasons (2003-05). Stanton threw for a then school record 3,415 yards in 2005, breaking the record of Smoker, who threw for 3,395 yards in 2003. Both signal callers were tutored by Nussmeier.

He began his coaching career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Nussmeier was the quarterbacks coach for the British Columbia Lions in 2001 and was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Ottawa Renegades in 2002.

Nussmeier was drafted in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He played four seasons with the Saints (1994-97) and one with the Indianapolis Colts (1998). Nussmeier helped the British Columbia Lions win the Grey Cup Championship in 2000 before retiring to join the coaching ranks.

As a collegiate player at the University of Idaho, Nussmeier passed for 10,824 yards and averaged 309.1 yards of total offense per contest. He is one of only four quarterbacks in NCAA history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000 during his career. Nussmeier won the Walter Payton Award in 1993, the Division I-AA’s version of the Heisman Trophy, and he was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 1992. Nussmeier was inducted into the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

An Oswego, Ore., native, Nussmeier attended Lakeridge High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from Idaho in 1994.

Nussmeier and his wife, Christi, have two sons, Garrett and Colton, and a daughter Ashlynn.

Did You Know?

• Nussmeier was a finalist for the University of Washington head coaching position this year.
• He is one of only four players in NCAA history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000 during his career (Steve McNair, Daunte Culpepper and Colin Kaepernick are the others).
• In two seasons under Nussmeier, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron passed for 5,996 yards, 58 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, while completing over 67 percent of his passes.
• In the past six seasons as an offensive coordinator, Nussmeier’s offenses have produced six 1,000-yard running backs.