Coach Nussmeier Speech and Q&A in Ann Arbor Last Week

New Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier appeared at a private dinner that was attended by about 100 men in Ann Arbor.  He gave a short speech and then participated in a Q&A session.  Overall, I was very impressed with Nussmeier during the entire evening. 

He looks and talks like a former quarterback who has had success coaching QB’s and the offense.  He looks as if he could put on the pads and play at his current age.  He speech pattern is quick; he was in constant motion moving around the podium as he spoke.

Coach Nuss played it close to the vest and obviously did not provide any confidential information.  He explained that he spoke with a number of other coaches prior to taking the Michigan position and feels honored to be at Michigan working with Brady Hoke, who he says is universally well liked and respected in the NCAA coaching community.  He mentioned the tradition, academic reputation and all of the other positive aspects of the university as attractive factors in his decision to come north.

He is very enthusiastic about being at Michigan and living in Ann Arbor.  Regarding the current team, he noted that they are extremely young and inexperienced on the offense.  He stated that the two most important things he is trying to convey to the offense is to contain the line of scrimmage and protect the quarterback, quoting some statistics of how the ability to score decreases substantially when a quarterback is sacked in any offensive series.  He emphasized that QB is the most difficult position to play on a football team.  He was very positive about what Devin Gardner brings to the team.  In response to a specific question Coach Nuss stated that Shane Morris “has all the talent in the world and only lacks experience, as he has played only one game during his short career at Michigan.”  Further, he was very complimentary of freshman quarterback Speight.

Audience members posed questions about the comparison of recruiting in the SEC versus the B1G; Coach Saban compared to Hoke; and his intent to stay at UM over the long haul.  He adroitly dodged those with a splendid sense of humor.  The crowd was really enthusiastic about Coach Nussmeier in control of our offense.