Michigan Football: Doug Nussmeier while at Bama and Huskies

Posted at 8:00pm — 1/9/2014

Michigan Football: Doug Nussmeier while at Bama and Huskies

Doug Nussmeier was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama for two seasons after three seasons at the University of Washington.

In Nussmeier’s first year at the helm of the Alabama offense, the 2012 Crimson Tide produced one of the most proficient offensive seasons in school history. UA set records for rushing/passing touchdowns scored (68), total points (542), total offense (6,237) and passing touchdowns (31).

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) talks with quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier during a timeout against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsHis tutelage of quarterback AJ McCarron resulted in one of the best seasons by a quarterback in school history. McCarron set a record for single-season touchdowns (30) while throwing for 2,933 yards (second in school history), completing 67.2 percent of his passes and throwing just three interceptions. He also led the nation in passing efficiency (175.28). Nussmeier built a balanced and explosive offense. The Tide rushed for 3,185 yards while throwing for 3,052, becoming the first Alabama team to rush and pass for 3,000 yards in a single season while accounting for 134 plays of 15-yards or more (76 passing and 58 rushing).

Despite replacing a first-round pick at quarterback, Nussmeier’s 2011 offense at Washington had a very successful campaign in 2011 and the unit improved statistically in each of his three seasons. Washington’s offense scored 57 touchdowns and 434 points in 2011, the second-highest totals in school history (behind only the 1991 national championship team). The 2011 season marks for passing yards (3,322) and total offense (5,328) also were second in the UW record book.

Aug 4, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier signs autographs following practice at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY SportsNussmeier helped guide sophomore quarterback Keith Price to one of the top individual seasons at Washington. As the first-year starter, Price broke records for passing touchdowns (33), completion percentage (.669) and passing efficiency (161.9). That efficiency rating was seventh nationally and second in the Pac-12 behind only Andrew Luck of Stanford. The Huskies scored 30 or more points in nine of 13 games and also featured an outstanding ground game led by Chris Polk, who ranked 16th nationally with an average of 114.5 rushing yards per game.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier (right) with head coach Nick Saban prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsIn 2010, Nussmeier oversaw a balanced Huskies attack that finished with 2,238 rushing yards and 2,475 passing yards. The offense was led by Polk, whose 1,415 rushing yards were second-most in UW single-season history. Nussmeier also mentored quarterback Jake Locker, who finished his career ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in nearly every major quarterbacking category. Locker was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the by Tennessee Titans.

In his first season at Washington, Nussmeier’s offense made tremendous strides over the previous season. The Huskies scored 26.1 points per game, nearly doubling their average from the previous year while total offense was up more than 110 yards per game over the 2008 average. Nussmeier also spent his first season coaching Locker, who had one of the most productive seasons in Huskies history. Locker passed for 2,800 yards, the third-highest total in school history, while the offense boasted a 1,000-yard rusher in Polk.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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