Saints hire Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator: Source

The Saints are hiring Doug Nussmeier as their offensive coordinator.

The move is the first big domino to fall for Kellen Moore’s staff. The two have worked together at several other stops and will now join forces in New Orleans.

Moore first worked with Nussmeier during his first season together in Dallas in 2018 when Nussmeier was the tight ends coach and Moore was with the quarterbacks. The next season, Nussmeier got elevated to quarterbacks coach when Moore bumped up to offensive coordinator, and the two have stuck together since. Nussmeier said Moore has been an easy guy to believe in because of how he sees the game.

“His vision. He’s so smart,” Nussmeier said. “His ability to see the game from different viewpoints. The production that we’ve had on offense.”

Moore was asked about Nussmeier during the lead-up to the Super Bowl and only had positive things to say about him.

“He’s a good coach,” Moore said. “Nuss is tremendously detailed, does a great job with the quarterback fundamentals. He has a great feel for that. Certainly, we’ve been fortunate to team up in three sports now. I think the world of him.”

Nussmeier worked as the quarterbacks coach under Moore in Dallas, with the Chargers, and last season in Philadelphia. He also previously played for the Saints and was drafted by the team as a quarterback out of Idaho in 1994. He appeared in five games.

His role with the Saints will likely be more in a supportive role and as a game planner on the offensive side of the ball. Moore has already said that he plans to call plays on offense. Nussmeier has been lauded by his players throughout his career for his ability to communicate and make seemingly complex ideas more digestible.

This will be Nussmeier’s first time serving as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. He has, however, previously held the rank in various college stops, including at Fresno State (2008), Washington (2009-2011), Alabama (2012-13), Michigan (2014), and Florida (2015-17).

Nussmeier has several ties to the area. His son, Garrett, is the starting quarterback for LSU.