Former Washington quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo was hired Saturday as the Huskies’ new quarterbacks coach.
The move brings Tuiasosopo back to where he played quarterback from 1997-2000, leading Washington to a Rose Bowl title his senior season. It also shifts responsibilities for Eric Kiesau, who will move from quarterbacks coach to wide receivers coach, in addition to remaining the offensive coordinator. Kiesau was wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Cal prior to coming to Washington.
Tuiasosopo was an assistant strength coach in 2009 and ‘10 under Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian. His limited role included charting plays on the sideline during games. He left to join UCLA as an intern in December 2011, then moved up to a position as the Bruins’ tight ends coach under Jim Mora this season.
“I’m very excited to come back home to coach where I played and to help Coach Sarkisian continue to bring the Huskies back to where we belong: at the top of the Pac-12, in the Rose Bowl and competing for championships,” Tuiasosopo said in a press release. “I’m also happy to be coaching the position I love.”
Another intriguing aspect in this hiring is Tuiasosopo’s relationship with quarterback Keith Price. Price called former Washington quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, now the offensive coordinator at Alabama, each week during his laborious junior season.
Tuiasosopo was part of the staff when Nussmeier was working with Price early on to alter his throwing motion and teach him aspects of the offense during Price’s redshirt season in 2009. So, Tuiasosopo is a hire that will bring his own expertise in addition to having an understanding of where Price was with Nussmeier.
He also has personal pedigree to point to. In 46 games for Washington, Tuiasosopo passed for 5,879 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,495 more yards with 21 touchdowns. He went on to play eight seasons in the NFL.
An opening at wide receivers coach was created by the departure of Jimmie Dougherty for San Jose State. Dougherty was one of two Washington assistant coaches to leave right after the end of the season. Running backs coach Joel Thomas left for the same position at Arkansas. That remains the only current opening on the staff.
todd.dybas@thenewstribune.com@Todd_Dybas
blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.