Nussmeier Expected to be Named QB Coach

Current Fresno State Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier is expected to become Quarterbacks Coach at Washington, Dawgman.com learned Tuesday night. The Fresno Bee and Seattle Times are also reporting this information. Nussmeier is the sixth coach on Washington's new football staff to have either played or coached at Idaho, or both.

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.

Another common thread running through UW Head Coach Steve Sarkisian's staff is the connection to former UI Head Coach John L. Smith. Nussmeier and Cox were on Smith's staff at Michigan State, as well as with Scott Linehan and the St. Louis Rams in 2007. Cox coached with Smith and Thomas at Louisville with Holt and Nansen, who was a Graduate Assistant.

Holt's staff when he was head coach at Idaho included Nansen, Thomas and Mills.

While at Fresno, Nussmeier led an offense that averaged 387 yards per game, good for 43rd nationally. That would have been good for fifth in the Pac-10. In 2008, Washington averaged 263 yards per game, 116th overall.

Before his year in the Central Valley, Nussmeier was the Rams' Quarterback Coach for two years, helping Marc Bulger to his first 4,000-yard passing season and a Pro Bowl appearance. During his time at Michigan State he coached top quarterbacks Jeff Smoker and Drew Stanton.

With this expected hire, it appears as if there is only one position opening left on Sarkisian's staff - WR/TE. The most common name that has come up for the final position is Robin Pflugrad, who is currently the Wide Receivers Coach at Oregon, but he has been told by Chip Kelly that he will not be retained when Kelly takes over for Mike Bellotti.

Prior to UO, Pflugrad spent five years at Washington State, where he was an Assistant Head Coach, Tight Ends Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. He's also coached receivers at Arizona State, Montana and Portland State.

Here's the anticipated roster breakdown:

Head Coach - Steve Sarkisian
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach - Jim Michalczik
Quarterbacks - Doug Nussmeier
Running Backs - Joel Thomas
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends - ?

Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach - Nick Holt
Defensive Line/Special Teams - Johnny Nansen
Linebackers - Mike Cox
Cornerbacks - Demetrice Martin
Safeties - Jeff Mills