Coaching Profile Of Saints Assistant Candidate Doug Nussmeier

Despite not being heavily recruited out of high school, Nussmeier went on to be an accomplished collegiate quarterback at Idaho. As a senior in 1993, he'd throw for 2,960 yards and a school record 33 touchdowns. In leading the Vandals to an 11-3 record, Nussmeier also earned the 1993 Walter Payton Award.

The New Orleans Saints selected Nussmeier in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. After quarterbacks Heath Shuler and Trent Dilfer were drafted in the first round, Nussmeier was the second signal caller next off the board after Perry Klein, also in the fourth by the Atlanta Falcons. 

A backup through his NFL career, Nussmeier saw no action during his first two seasons. He'd play in two games during the 1996 campaign, getting his first career start in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons. Nussmeier completed 21 of 35 throws for 171 yards with a touchdown and interception in that game, a 31-15 loss.

In 1997, Nussmeier was part of a musical chair game at quarterback by coach Mike Ditka, being one of four to start a game that season. Nussmeier started one game, a 20-3 loss at Atlanta, and appeared in three contests.

One of only 32 quarterbacks to ever start an NFL game, Nussmeier bounced around as a backup for the Broncos, Colts, and Bears until 1999 without any additional action. In five games with the Saints between 1996 and 1997, Nussmeier had a 56.1% completion percentage for 455 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. 

In 2000, Nussmeier ended his playing career as a backup with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. The following year, he'd begin his coaching career as QB coach of the team. 

Doug Nussmeier - Coaching Career 

After one year at British Columbia, Nussmeier moved on to coach the quarterbacks for the Ottawa Renegades of the CFL. He'd spend two years in that position before moving on to the same role with Michigan State University. 

Nussmeier was at Michigan State for three years until getting his first NFL job, coaching the St. Louis Rams quarterbacks from 2006-2007. From there, it was back to the collegiate ranks as offensive coordinator and QB coach at Fresno State in 2008.

There just one year, Nussmeier was gone before the arrival of Fresno State star and future Saints quarterback Derek Carr. By 2009, Nussmeier had moved on to the University of Washington as their offensive coordinator and QB coach.

With the Huskies for three seasons, Nussmeier moved on to Alabama in 2012 and 2013 as their offensive coordinator. In his first year there, the Crimson Tide rolled to a 13-1 record and the National Championship. Alabama scored at least 32 points in 12 of 14 games that season.

After one year as Michigan's offensive coordinator in 2014, Nussmeier assumed the same position at the University of Florida from 2015-2017. In 2018, Nussmeier was hired as TE coach for the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Cowboys offensive coordinator upon Nussmeier's arrival was Kellen Moore. They would remain in Dallas together through the 2022 season, with Nussmeier being promoted to QB coach in 2020. Over that five-year span, the Cowboys had a top-5 ranking in total offense twice, top-5 in passing yardage three times, and top-10 in rushing production twice.

In 2023, Nussmeier followed Moore to the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore was the offensive coordinator, with Nussmeier again the QB coach. The Chargers got off to a strong offensive start, but injuries derailed both their progress and season.

Moore and Nussmeier landed together with the Eagles this past season. Philadelphia ranked eighth in total offense and seventh in points scored while finishing second in rushing yardage. The Eagles eclipsed 30 points eight times this season, including an NFL-record 55 points in their conference championship game victory over Washington.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley turned in a 2,000-yard rushing campaign on his way to NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. In Super Bowl LIX, QB Jalen Hurts won the MVP award with 295 yards and three scores.