Michigan's Doug Nussmeier expected to be named Florida off. coordinator
Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is expected to be named to the same position at Florida, per a source.
Nussmeier would join new Gators coach Jim McElwain's staff after McElwain was hired to replace the fired Will Muschamp.
Nussmeier has spent one season with the Wolverines after serving as Alabama's offensive coordinator for the two years prior. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner struggled with consistency, tossing 15 interceptions as the Wolverines went 5-7, leading to coach Brady Hoke's ouster. Michigan did manage a fairly effective ground game, gaining 4.6 yards per carry as a team. Running backs De'Veon Smith and Derrick Green combined for 990 rushing yards on 190 carries.
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Nussmeier and McElwain have a history together from their time on John L. Smith's staff at Michigan State from 2003-05. McElwain was the associate head coach and coached wide receivers and special teams while Nussmeier coached the Spartans' quarterbacks. Since then, they've never been on the same coaching staff, but Nussmeier has followed in McElwain's footsteps, succeeding him as Fresno State's offensive coordinator in 2008 and Alabama's offensive coordinator in '12 when McElwain left the Crimson Tide to become head coach at Colorado State.
Alabama went 13-1 and won the SEC and BCS national championship in Nussmeier's first year as coordinator. He guided quarterback AJ McCarron to a school-record 30 touchdown passes with only three interceptions while the running back tandem of Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon combined for over 2,400 yards on the ground and 29 touchdowns. Alabama's 6.6 yards per play was seventh in the FBS that season. The offense improved in Nussmeier's second year, gaining 6.9 yards per play, sixth in the country.
Nussmeier's experience from his two years in the SEC should help him quickly jump in on Florida's recruiting effort.
With Nussmeier's and McElwain's strong offensive minds, Florida would be poised for a sharp offensive turnaround after Muschamp failed to build a successful attack in his four-year tenure. Florida's 5.0 yards per play and 370.2 yards per game this season ranked 93rd and 91st, respectively, as the Gators wasted the efforts of one of the top defenses in the nation.
McElwain brought in former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to oversee Florida's defense after Collins' "Psycho Defense" helped the Bulldogs rise to No. 9 in points allowed this year.
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