SEATTLE -- Washington offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will leave to take the same position at Alabama and could be named soon, sources told The Seattle Times Sunday night.
Nussmeier's expected departure would be the fifth change among nine Washington assistants this year. Washington had kept its same staff intact through the first three years of the Steve Sarkisian era, although there were two changes before spring ball in Sarkisian's first year of 2009.
Four of the changes have occurred on defense, including three instigated by the Huskies with the firing of defensive coordinator Nick Holt and two others.
The Huskies' offensive staff has yet to experience any turnover under Sarkisian. But speculation rose early Sunday that Nussmeier had emerged as the leading candidate when two other finalists for the Alabama job appeared headed to the NFL. Dirk Koetter was hired by the Falcons and Brian Schottenheimer was reportedly hired by the Rams.
Washington does not typically comment on coaches who might be leaving, and Alabama made no announcements Sunday.
Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian calls the plays for the Huskies while Nussmeier would have that responsibility at Alabama, which Monday won its second national title in three years.
Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain is leaving the Crimson Tide to become head coach at Colorado State. Nussmeier was regarded as a logical candidate since he succeeded McElwain as offensive coordinator at Fresno State in 2008.
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