Doug Nussmeier hired as Husky QB coach

by John Berkowitz on Jan 14, 2009 8:37 AM PST Comment 36 comments

Doug Nussmeier was hired to be the new Husky QB coach. Nussmeier was the OC at Fresno State. Doug is a native of Portland, Oregon who played college football at Idaho under John L. Smith. Nussmeier also played QB int he NFL for five years.

He started his coaching career under John L. Smith at Michigan State before moving on to be QB coach with the St Louis Rams for two seasons. He spent last season at Fresno State. Nussmeier is regarded as a hot up and coming coach and his addition to the staff isa big coup for the Huskies.

The Idaho connection continues as Defensive Coordinator Nick Holt, Defensive Line Coach Johnny Nansen, Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Mills and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas and Linebackers Coach Mike Cox all coached at Idaho at some point in their careers.

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Karnakdawg...aka crazidawg called it again!

Or did he? Anyway I love that handle and this is as good a time as any to get it in there! LOL!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 9:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Time for crazi to fess up – he must have insider connections.

by kirkd on Jan 14, 2009 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great hire

We have two guys on the staff who are proven QB coaches,

That is exciting.

by John Berkowitz on Jan 14, 2009 9:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah this is great news!..

…the momentum keeps building. Ride it!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 9:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Synergy of this new coaching staff is going to be unbelievable. So much overlapping experience and expertise the Huskies leadership is going to FEEL different to the returning players and that ’s huge step to them buying in 100%.

by 206 on Jan 14, 2009 10:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I believe...

…this is going to carry over to the fanbase. I can’t wait to see the numbers rise at Husky Stadium and the enthusiasm!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Inside Connections?

No I don’t have inside connections. I called this one because it was a no brainer. Coach Sark is bringing us the pro style offense and he has to have a proven QB coach that knows how to teach pro style footwork and fundamentals. That means the candidate must have lengthy experience in the pro style game.

Currently the only pro style offensive programs are USC, Fresno State, Georgia, and Tennessee. NC State might also run it, not sure. So with that said their really isn’t very many candidates to choose from unless you look into the NFL.

Nuss was a glorified QB coach at Fresno, who called the offense from the coaches box. This guy is a HUGE up and comer and knows the pro style very well. To me he played a lot like Mark Brunell, only right handed of course.

Do yo dare question my credibility again? Butthol may want to reconsider some of his ill-advised remarks.

Go Nuss! WOOF!

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 5:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What does the Karnac aka Crazidawg say about UW Receivers Coach?

James Lofton is available.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/13/SP63159HJJ.DTL

Not sure if Lofton’s anything more than a great receiver that’s an average receivers coach. But Lofton was supposedly co-finalist for the Stanford HC with Harbaugh, so he presumably has an interest in college coaching. Also, Lofton’s from Northern Cali so there’s some needed recruiting coverage that could be gained.

by 206 on Jan 14, 2009 5:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Correction: Both Brunell and Nuss are Lefties

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 5:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WR Coach?

I think it would be wise to hire a receivers coach that is either from the state of California or has been coaching in the state of California and who has great NFL stature. I think the best group of receivers out west have come from either USC or California. Hiring a receivers coach from one of these programs would be ideal. But a guy like Lofton would be a great fit too.

You can never have enough 6’2" recievers that can catch the ball and I think it would be a huge selling point to future wide receiver recruits that has credentials much like Lofton’s. Where is Lofton anyways? If he is available I say get him!

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 5:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Crazi...Karnac..if you call this one...

…I am going to Sh_t!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 9:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think that qualifies as a "call" ...

… more like “advice”

"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.

by Gekko Mojo on Jan 15, 2009 8:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't call this one.

I said Lofton or Pflugrad would be good assistants. I didn’t want to call this one because let’s face it. A receivers coach is a pretty obscure position on the staff. It’s like the RB coaching job. Important yes, but here’s the thing. WR talent can really make their position coach look GOOD!

Even though Sark is going to have his hands full teaching the quarterbacks, you still have to have a great QB coach. Nuss is going to follow Locker and the rest of the QBs around like he is their favorite uncle. I think Locker has some very gifted offensive guys surrounding him and his game will be noticably better next season.

by crazidawg on Jan 15, 2009 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just teasing you!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 15, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lofton was let go as the Raiders Receivers coach today. But they’re firing the whole Raiders staff it seems.

I’m just thinking if Pflugrad doesn’t come from Oregon to UW that Lofton would be a reasonable substitute. Good point about Lofton’s cache with future wide receiver recruits nationally.

by 206 on Jan 14, 2009 5:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lofton?

If Lofton is available he may get the job- I only know him from his pro career days. I know one thing the guy was flat out one of the best! Not Jerry Rice great but pretty dam good. Not looking at any resumes, but I think I’d consider Lofton over Pflugrad for the reasons stated above in my last post.

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lofton

Was he a receivers coach at Oakland when Sark was there as QB coach? If so, there’s a good possibility that Lofton and Sark are talking right now (if they had a good relationship).

by PhinneyDawg on Jan 14, 2009 6:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lofton/Kiffin Connection

What is the relationship between Sark and Kiffin? Lofton worked under Kiffin at Oakland and if Sark and Kiffin are on good terms then Lofton just might be our receivers coach.

I like this possibility!

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 6:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Reportedly Sarkisian and Kiffin talk frequently – in one of the interviews of Sarkisian I heard, he said he and Kiffin had been talking daily, comparing notes, especially on coaching candidates. Since they are on opposite sides of the country, he said there’s little overlap in the coaches they’d be pursuing, so he said they were bouncing ideas off one another and seeing what the other knew about various guys.

So, it’s highly probable they’ve discussed (or will discuss) Lofton.

by kirkd on Jan 14, 2009 8:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Uniform Changes?

John is their any talk about uniform changes? Their was speculation that coach Sark was going to sit in on a committee in regards to this issue? Has anyone heard anything?

Not sure if King County will approve the rennovation plan. Hopefully their are more Dawgs then Coogies as the deciding voters on this issue. It would be an ideal situation even with the economical woes. To make money you have to spend money. Letting Husky Stadium rot away will do nothing for the local eonomy. We bring big talent to Seattle and that big talent travels very well and would spend enormous bucks while in Seattle. It makes sense to build it.

by crazidawg on Jan 14, 2009 6:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Uniforms

Sark would like to make some changes and be more traditional but nothing definitive has happened yet.

by John Berkowitz on Jan 14, 2009 7:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The time to act is now!

Let your voice be heard and make it personal! Let these politicians feel your passion for the Huskies and for the University of Washington!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 9:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Check out my Tell the Husky Fan Post...

….just in case some of you didn’t get the email’ we’ve got to be unified in working to let these county councilmen and councilwomen know how important this funding is. We are going to go head to head with the cougs on this and if you guys don’t know how much they despise us you guys are sadly mistaken.

The state of Washington has been subsidizing wsu athletics since the beginning. This is King County business and taxes. Don’t let negativity win over positive passion. GO DAWGS!!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 14, 2009 9:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gilby

Speaking of old Idaho guys, what did you think of the release of Keith Gilbertson by a fellow Husky Jim Mora .What is up with that?

One of the worst firings I can remember from the Husky tree was when Jim Lambright fired Jeff Woodruff who was Don James son in law. They didn’t speek for awhile and I’m not sure they will ever hug again

by huskyslut on Jan 14, 2009 10:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gilby wants to call plays again...

so it was mutual that he would leave to persue other opertunities. He was just on KJR and asked about this.

by Snostrebla on Jan 15, 2009 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What other opportunities?

Tough to say what other opportunities are out there for him at this point at the level he is used to.

by John Berkowitz on Jan 15, 2009 10:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He kind of admitted that his phone wasn't ringing...

but it sounded like he wanted to call plays again or find another career / retire. I wish the best for Gilby.

by Snostrebla on Jan 15, 2009 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Woodruff's play calling

was terrible. His best asset was being DJ’s son in law. When he left here he went to AZ or ASU, but I don’t think he lasted long. Mrs James was very upset, but I thought Lambo did the right thing.

I like Gilby, except as a HC, but I don’t think he is a good fit for the Huskies.

by dawgdude on Jan 15, 2009 10:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sark's Raiders/Lofton connection

sounds like this Lofton to UW may have some legs…assuming Sark and Kiffin respect his work.

by 206 on Jan 15, 2009 7:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

New Visitors/Recruiting

Jamaal Burrell is visiting, as is Eddie Williams (24th) both of these guys are listed as offensive lineman where we need to get some help. Sione Tuihalamaka DT has an offer and visits on the 30th. We seem to be recruiting a lot of interior defensive lineman, not sure if that’s just because they can be so hard to find or whether the depth or talent is an issue? Another name that has been off the radar until now is Aulula Tonga a 6’3" 195 pound safety prospect out of Kahuku. Don’t hold me to the spelling on any of these guys!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 15, 2009 11:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

any info

on Burrell or Williams?

by bigdave967 on Jan 15, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No

…just that they’re visiting according to a couple of websites. Beckles is another guy who apparently is getting some looks.

by dawgfan22 on Jan 15, 2009 1:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Beckles is ANOTHER defensive tackle type

6’1" 285 pounds. Like I said I’m wondering why we’re bringing in so many defensive tackle types. I heard Vincent Ferderico a JC kid has a Washington offer. I know some of these guys are the wide body types with more athleticism and the ability to move so maybe they could project into that quicker offensive lineman the Huskies are looking for now. All I know is the huge OLineman we had were the most underachieving/disappointing group of the entire season.

This is just a feeling I have and tell me if I’m off base here. If Cody Habben starts I am NOT going to be happy. I want somebody else in there who can actually block a Pac-10 defensive end!

by dawgfan22 on Jan 15, 2009 1:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

One reason

One reason is they are going to consider moving Duncan and Wood to OL. That would balance everything out.

by John Berkowitz on Jan 15, 2009 1:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Also, considering only Noble redshirted last year among the 3 interior DL recruits, it’s good planning to get some additional guys in the DT depth chart that the staff can afford to redshirt, especially if either/both Duncan and/or Wood move over to offense:

2009:
Elisara – RS-Jr
Duncan – RS-So (could be moved to OG)
Wood – RS-So (could be moved to OG)
Ta’amu – So
Kelemete – So
Noble – RS-Fr
Tokolahi – Fr (hopefully redshirts)
???

by kirkd on Jan 15, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Depth

Offensive Linemen and Defensive Linemen are two positions where you need depth. The best Defensive Lines are the ones that have 8-10 guys rotating in and never skip a beat (meaning 4 DE’s and 4-5 DT’s). You need solid depth to keep fresh legs in there.

by bigdave967 on Jan 16, 2009 5:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs