Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has been hired to hold the same position at Michigan, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke announced Thursday on the team’s website.
“I am extremely excited to join the University of Michigan and work with Brady Hoke, the staff and players,” Nussmeier said in a statement. “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.”
Footballscoop.com first reported the news Wednesday night.
Wolverines offensive coordinator Al Borges was relieved of his duties earlier on Wednesday.
“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,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban in the release. “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 Crimson Tide averaged 454 yards and 38.2 points per game in 2013, Nussmeier’s second season as offensive coordinator at Alabama. Quarterback AJ McCarron broke Alabama’s single-season passing record, throwing for 3,063 yards this year.
Alabama could be looking to make a change in philosophy on offense.
After a 34-28 loss to Auburn ended the Crimson Tide’s bid for a third straight BCS title, Saban brought in former USC and Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin to evaluate the offense.
“Lane is a really good offensive coach, and I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for him,” Saban said at the time. “Just to come in and brainstorm a little bit, just some professional ideas with our guys, I think, is a real positive thing.”
Saban has previously said there are “tremendous advantages” to a hurry-up offense and that “the time is coming when we’ll probably do it, too.”
AJ McCarron said he thought the Alabama offense was at its best playing at a high tempo.
“I think we play our best as an offense when we’re fast-paced,” McCarron said. “I just personally think we play better when we go fast-paced.”
Nussmeier made $590,000 in his first year and received a raise to $680,000 in 2013.
Nussmeier was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington from 2009-11 before joining Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2012.
