The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/246097
That's why it all made sense on Jan. 10, in Michigan's Junge Family Champions Center, when Hoke introduced Doug Nussmeier as Michigan's new offensive coordinator. Exactly how U-M lured Nussmeier away from the biggest bully of the Southeastern Conference can be debated, but this much cannot: Nussmeier brings unassailable credentials and direct, fresh knowledge of precisely how to turn Hoke's hopes into reality. "We have a vision, we know what that is, and that's why Doug is here today," Hoke said. "He's a guy with national championship experience, which is the highest goal that we all have." Nussmeier gleaned one national championship ring in Tuscaloosa, and might have garnered another with a couple of better bounces and a tighter defense by Nick Saban's team this past year. Michigan's new offensive coordinator is hardly a one-hit wonder, though. A five-year NFL quarterback, coach in the NFL and CFL, and a mentor to quarterbacks including Michigan State's Jeff Smoker and Drew Stanton, Washington's Jake Locker and Alabama's A.J. McCarron, Nussmeier is expected to further hone fifth-year The Nussmeier File Name: Doug Nussmeier. College Coaching Experience: Offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Alabama, 2012-13; offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Washington, 2009-11; offensive coordinator at Fresno State, 2008; quarterbacks coach at Michigan State, 2003-05. Pro Coaching Experience: Quarterbacks coach, St. Louis Rams, 2006-07; quarterbacks coach, Ottawa Renegades (CFL), 2002; quarterbacks coach, B.C. Lions (CFL), 2001. Career Coaching Highlights: Directed Alabama to school records for rushing and passing touchdowns, total points scored and total offense in the 2012 national championship season … Guided the Crimson Tide offense through its first season in school history featuring more than 3,000 yards of both rushing and passing … Took Alabama to a No. 7 ranking in pass efficiency in 2013, and 17th nationally in scoring offense and third-down percentage … Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron led the nation in passing efficiency in 2012, and was eighth last season … McCarron threw for 5,996 yards, 58 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, with a 67-percent completion rate, in Nussmeier's two years at Alabama … Washington's offense scored 57 touchdowns and 434 points in Nussmeier's final year there, the second-highest total in school history, behind only the 1991 national championship squad … First-year starting quarterback Keith Price set school records in passing touchdowns, completion percentage and pass efficiency … Running back Chris Polk rushed for 1,415 yards in 2010, second-best in Washington football history, while quarterback