TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama has hired former Washington offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier for the same position.

Nussmeier, 42, has worked as Washington's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Steve Sarkisian since 2009. The Huskies ranked 25th nationally in scoring (33.4 points per game) and 38th in total offense (409.9 yards per game) in 2011.

While at Washington, Nussmeier was instrumental in the development of Jake Locker, an NFL first-round pick in 2011, and sophomore Keith Price, who ranked 13th in quarterback rating (157.9) and seventh in touchdown passes (29) in 2011.

Before joining the Huskies, Nussmeier was offensive coordinator at Fresno State in 2008. The 42-year-old was quarterbacks coach of the St. Louis Rams for two seasons, helping guide Marc Bulger to a Pro Bowl in 2006.

He also served as quarterbacks coach at Michigan State from 2003-04, tutoring future NFL quarterback Drew Stanton.

At Alabama, Nussmeier will inherit sophomore quarterback AJ McCarron. In 2011, the first-year starter threw for 2,634 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions on his way to becoming the first underclassman quarterback to ever win a BCS national championship.

Nussmeier also gets an offensive line that remains for the most part intact, headed by Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones.

Nussmeier played five seasons at quarterback in the NFL, four with the New Orleans Saints and one with the Indianapolis Colts. He played quarterback at Idaho and threw for 10,824 yards in his career. Along with the late Steve McNair and Daunte Culpepper, he is one of only three college quarterbacks in history to account for 10,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in a career.

Nussmeier is respected in the recruiting world. He helped reel in top 25 recruiting classes to Washington in 2010 and 2011, according to ESPN's team rankings.

Nussmeier replaces Jim McElwain, who left to become coach at Colorado State after four seasons with the Tide. Alabama reportedly interviewed former New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and former Jaguars coordinator Dirk Koetter before hiring Nussmeier.

Alabama also brought back Lance Thompson back to coach outside linebackers. Thompson, who coached outside linebackers for Alabama in 2007 and 2008 before spending three seasons at Tennessee, replaces Sal Sunseri, now Tennessee's defensive coordinator.

Alex Scarborough covers Alabama football for TideNation.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.