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After helping lead Florida to a 10-4 (7-1) record with an SEC East Division championship under his belt, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier was approached by Southern Miss to potentially become the program’s next head coach.
Nussmeier listened and was intrigued by the opportunity, but that’s where the train stopped.
“Obviously, you get an opportunity to be a head coach, you got to listen,” Nussmeier told the Palm Beach Post on Tuesday evening. “I want to go to a place where it’s the right place for me and my family. When the time is right, the time will be right. I felt like we got unfinished business here and I feel like we can do some really special things here at Florida.”
In 2015, the Gators started the season 6-0 before quarterback Will Grier was handed a one-year ban from the NCAA for using a banned substance. Nussmeier then had to rely on Treon Harris — who has recently moved to wide receiver — to operate his offense, and the team took a step back, finishing 4-4 the rest of the way.
UF produced 32.2 points per game with Grier under center, but scored just 16.5 in the eight games following. The team finished No. 111 nationally in total offense and scored a total of 24 points its final three appearances.
Nussmeier, entering the second year of a three-year contract, will be looking to get a little more out of his offensive crew with Luke Del Rio running the show (most likely) this upcoming fall.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
