Florida Gators offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will continue to call plays but he won’t be calling them from the sideline this week. Jim McElwain announced on Wednesday that Nussmeier would move back up to the coach’s box to call plays against Tennessee this weekend.
“He’s actually going to move back up this game,” he said. “He started there that first season. It was good for him to get down on the field to communicate with the quarterbacks a year ago, and in this case he’ll be back upstairs.”
Nussmeier began his time as OC at Florida calling plays from the press box but moved down to the field to help young quarterbacks Treon Harris and Will Grier in 2015. Since his move down to the field, however, the Gators offense has struggled. Florida’s offense was ranked 112th in 2015 and 116th in 2016.
Despite the sluggish offense and calls from the fan base to take over play calling, McElwain has shot down questions on if he should or would do that, doubling down on his offensive coordinator.
McElwain cited a “calmer atmosphere” in the press box for Nussmeier to call plays.
Florida will host Tennessee this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS