In a move aimed at revitalizing their offense, the New Orleans Saints have hired Doug Nussmeier as their next offensive coordinator. The hire brings Nussmeier full circle, as he once donned the black and gold as a quarterback in the mid-1990s under Jim Mora and Mike Ditka. Now, with decades of coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, he returns to the Crescent City to help steer the Saints' offense back to prominence.
A Crescent City Connection: Nussmeier’s Playing Days
Nussmeier’s NFL career began with the Saints when they selected him in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of the University of Idaho, where he won the Walter Payton Award as the top player in Division I-AA (now FCS). Though he primarily served as a backup in New Orleans, the experience helped lay the foundation for his future as a coach.
Coaching Journey: A Quarterback Whisperer
After his playing career, Nussmeier transitioned to coaching, developing a reputation for working with quarterbacks and fine-tuning offensive systems. His coaching journey spans multiple levels of football, with an impressive list of stops:
BC Lions (CFL) – Quarterbacks Coach (2001)
Ottawa Renegades (CFL) – Quarterbacks Coach (2002)
Michigan State – Quarterbacks Coach (2003-2005)
St. Louis Rams – Quarterbacks Coach (2006-2007)
Fresno State – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2008)
Washington – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2009-2011)
Alabama – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2012-2013)
Michigan – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2014)
Florida – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2015-2017)
Dallas Cowboys – Tight Ends Coach (2018-2019), Quarterbacks Coach (2020-2022)
Los Angeles Chargers – Quarterbacks Coach (2023)
Philadelphia Eagles – Quarterbacks Coach (2024)
Quarterback Development: A Proven Track Record
Throughout his career, Nussmeier has played a crucial role in the development of multiple standout quarterbacks:
AJ McCarron (Alabama, 2012-2013) – Led Alabama to back-to-back national championships, finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2013.
Jake Locker (Washington, 2009-2011) – Developed into a first-round NFL Draft pick under Nussmeier’s tutelage.
Drew Stanton (Michigan State, 2003-2005) – Evolved into an NFL-ready quarterback under Nussmeier’s guidance.
Marc Bulger (St. Louis Rams, 2006-2007) – Helped mold Bulger into a Pro Bowl quarterback during his stint with the Rams.
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers, 2023) – Worked with Herbert during a season in which he posted 3,134 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in just 13 games.
What Nussmeier Brings to the Saints
With a résumé boasting championship experience, quarterback expertise, and years of offensive scheming at the highest levels, Nussmeier’s arrival could signal a fresh direction for the Saints’ offense. His familiarity with the franchise, paired with his ability to develop quarterbacks, makes him an intriguing hire as New Orleans looks to rebound from an inconsistent offensive performance in recent years.
For Saints fans, this hire offers a blend of nostalgia and hope—Nussmeier is back in the Big Easy, but this time, he's holding the playbook, not the clipboard.
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