Former Auburn OC Scot Loeffler, OL coach Jeff Grimes interviewed in Blacksburg today
Former Auburn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and offensive line coach Jeff Grimes were in Blacksburg Monday to interview with Virginia Tech.
(UPDATE: CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman tweeted that Loeffler has been hired, although neither Virginia Tech nor sources with knowledge of the situation would confirm the hiring. Also, I’ve been told quarterback Logan Thomas will make his NFL decision made known Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a press release.)
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It is the second time Loeffler has spoken with the Hokies about the presumed vacancy at offensive coordinator.
He reportedly spoke with Frank Beamer about the position last week as well, suggesting Virginia Tech’s interest is legitimate. Although there is no timetable to make a move, quarterback Logan Thomas has until tomorrow to make a decision about whether he submits his name for the NFL Draft or returns for his senior season with the Hokies.
The 38-year-old Loeffler, who has coached Tom Brady and Tim Tebow in his career, was at Temple in 2011 and Auburn in 2012, his first two years as an offensive coordinator. He had previously served as a quarterbacks coach at Michigan from 2002-07 and Florida from 2009-10.
Loffler’s last two seasons have been in stark contrast to one another. Auburn’s offense struggled in its transition from a spread scheme to a pro-style, finishing 2012 ranked 115th nationally in total offense (305.0 ypg), 112th in passing (156.6 ypg), 78th in rushing (148.2 ypg) and 112th nationally in scoring (18.7 ppg).
But Loeffler’s group the previous year at Temple ranked seventh nationally in rushing (256.6 ypg) and 39th nationally in scoring (30.6 ppg).
Grimes,44, spent the previous four years at Auburn on Gene Chizik‘s staff. His veteran offensive line was integral to the Tigers’ national championship run in 2010. That offseason, he turned down an offer from Mack Brown to join Texas’ staff in the same position.
Youth and injuries marred Grimes’ line at Auburn the last two seasons. Four seniors departed from the national championship squad. The Tigers started two freshmen and two sophomores in the final game of 2012.
Before Auburn, Grimes, a Garland, Texas, native who played at UTEP, had full-time college coaching stints at the Football Bowl Subdivision level at Colorado (2007-08), BYU (2004-06), Arizona State (2001-03) and Boise State (2000).
Both Loeffler and Grimes were not retained at Auburn after Chizik’s firing in November.
January 14, 2013 - 5:16 PM
Loeffler would align with Beamer’s affinity for a more conservative/balanced time consuming offense. He’d also combine QB coaching duties and allow Stinespring to be TE coach/recruiting coordinator and travel while doing so. If Grimes can develop an offensive line that knows how to run and pass block, that would be a fresh bonus. He’ll certainly need to get assistance in the S&C office on that. All that leaves is a WR coach, possibly for Loeffler to select.
It should be interesting, if they’re given the latitude to use their concepts.
I would love to have Danny Coale come back and coach the wide receiver. I know, I know, keep dreaming, Trevor.
The only question I have is – what type of offense will Scot Loeffler will run? If I am right, at Temple, under Steve Addazio, they run an Urban Meyer’s spread offense since Addazio was Meyer’s offensive line coach.
I can’t say these possibilities don’t excite me because it does. I just hope Beamer takes the handcuff off and let Loeffler runs the offense and revisit the recruiting philosophies. Don’t just stock pile on tight ends and convert them to OL. Get those guards, tackles, and center and coach them up. That’s Grimes’ territory.
On a tangent, props to Bill Roth for his election to Va sports HoF. Roth knows his role and performs it quite well. I always thought a comment I heard someone else make about another announcer – ‘Listening to him is as comfortable as an old shoe’ – was a great compliment for an announcer. That certainly is appropriate for Bill Roth, too.
Trev, I’d love to see a spread type offense that could be a very attractive recruiting tool for all the skill talent in the region. That being said, I would think it will adhere more towards a more conservative/balanced offense. That’s what Frank has always felt most comfortable with, and also what Loeffler seems to have the most experience in using. He switched from Malzahn’s style to the conservative at Auburn, so that makes me think he likes it more.
All that being said, if left completely alone, he might surprise some and run something midway between the two. It will be great if we can start keeping more of the elite talent at home, and I’d think that would appeal more than an Alabammer style offense. Other ACC teams are already embracing the more high octane offenses, and they’re our primary recruiting rivals, so we shall see.
Auburn’s offense was the most horrendous thing I’ve ever seen. How did Beamer manage to find WORSE than Stiney?
Grimes would be an amazing pick-up! Look at his past recruiting signings on Rivals.com or Scout.com with Auburn over the past few years. He brought in some big OL and other 4 Star recruits to Auburn. He was the one OL coaching candidate I hoping they might actually bring in. He would be an amazing addition and is highly thought from what I read on him. I’m sure Andy could back this up or not. I would be more excited over getting Grimes because the O-Line is the foundation to a Great Offense. Not sure about Scott Loeffler have read some scathing blogs on why he was the reason Auburn had a bad season. Chad Scott “Most Dangerous Blog” Blogger for chuckoliver.net and Jacksonville Fla. Radio Personalty and various newspapers wrote a terrible blog about him including stuff High School Coaches and other coaches are saying about him. Maybe Andy you could shed some light on this since he was the man down at Auburn with regards to Football whether any of this stuff is true. Thanks BK
So Beamer wants someone off a team that was by far the worst team in the SEC? They probably had better talent to work with at Auburn(just guessing) and they were terrible. Unreal!
After watching the Alabama/ND game, I came away with the conclusion that Alabama ran about every offense in the book except the flying wedge. Pistol, spread, proset, power I, they ran it all and didn’t seem to suffer any ‘Identity’ issues. In every case, however, they completely took ND’s All American linebacker out of the game, and generally knocked a good defense on its collective butt. If these two guys can get that kind of effort out of our OL, the wait will be worth it. So, I really don’t care what offense they run, as long as they block somebody.
Well Auburn offense this year made VT look like Oregon’s so I hope Beamer and co know what they’re doing.
I am not totally convince that the offence will change much as long as Beamer has a say. The new coordinator will need full control and from the way it looks Beamer, is not going to let that happen. I hope things turn around and they make use of the tightnends.
@ Trevor Danny Coale still has career to pursue. Coale probably hates Beamer anyway after being thrown under the bus after the Sugar Bowl. I’ll never forgive Beamer for it so why should Danny? What about Andre Davis? High character guy.
Grimes great hire, stanford’s receiver coach is coming also, but Loeffler is a horrible hire. He’s unproven and is lacking experience it’s so obvious beamer wanted someone he can control.
So Frank got 2 prospects to come to Blacksburg. Great. Now he can take them to his restaurant and impress….What? That`s right I forgot. Oh well, there`s always 2 hot dogs at Stop In. Seriously, I wonder if Bucky Hodges and some of these other high star recruits are watching this unfold. Remember, they are not signed yet.
I hope we get Grimes too. We need some one that can teach blocking. We got the player.I like the read-opinion
We all knew VT was going to get someone on the unemployment line because nobody in his right mind would leave a program to come to VT. If this guy is so good, why wasn’t he retained? He was hired right after he interveiwed, they must have been desperate!
I really hope that this is a joke and we didn’t actually hire Loeffler. The Auburn offense this year was literally the worst offense Auburn has ever had and just about the worst in the FBS this year. And it’s not due to a lack of talent either, Auburn consistently ranks in the top 15 for recruits every year. Plus, one major reason Auburn did so poorly this year is because of the QB. That’s right, the QB, which is supposedly Loeffler’s strength as a former QB coach. The Auburn QB’s accuracy throughout the year the equivalent of Logan Thomas on PCP. I would rather have an unproven OC than this guy who has proven that he is a horrible OC.
Hey, folks, busy night of trying to chase things down. Thought I’d throw in my two cents here …
– Bruce Feldman is very seldom wrong, so I anticipate this hiring will happen. But I haven’t been able to get anyone at VT to confirm that a hire has taken place. In fact, as of about 6 p.m. or so, I know nobody had been hired officially. Probably HR stuff and paperwork to make it official. Perhaps they’ve agreed in principle. Whatever. It’s semantics really.
– Talking with some of my Auburn peeps, Loeffler was a good guy stuck in a bad situation last year. Lots of talk that Chizik meddled with his offensive planning. And he really didn’t have a legitimate quarterback to put in the game. That well had run dry once Cam Newton left. (Malzahn’s offense ranked 100th in 2011, so it’s not like he inherited an explosive group.) That said, I still don’t know how good of an OC Loeffler could be. Very little experience in that regard.
– When I covered Auburn, I was always impressed by Grimes. Big guy with a deep voice who could get after a player, but he was really cerebral with a lot of stuff too. A great interview, which is always a plus for us newspaper types. He recruited like crazy, too. His Rivals database has plenty of four- and five-star guys on there. A lot of that might have been the lure of Auburn, but Grimes had a hand in it too.
– Oh, and Logan Thomas will announce his NFL decision in a press release Tuesday at 4 p.m. I’ve been told anything you hear about it before that is not from Logan.
All the blame of the Auburn collapse cannot be laid at the coaches feet. They lost a lot of talent from the NC year, that team had a lot of seniors on it and their departure left the cupboard bare. Some fans of other schools in the area think the Auburn NC was a once in a lifetime alignment of the planets. Also, the alumni and non alumni supporters of the football program there are strong believers that their large donations give them the right to meddle in the program. One of the boosters even went out and tried to hire a new head coach on the sly one year. I think the AD knew the guy was doing it but there was no official support or move to get rid of Tuberville from the university. Andy correct me on the Tuberville story if I’m wrong, the memory is hazy on it. I don’t know what these guys would bring to the table but it would be nice to have some SEC caliber coaching on the sideline. Maybe they can instill some nasty into the O-line.
Auburn has all sorts of meddling.
JetGate occurred in 2003. The Auburn president, AD and a trustee flew to Louisville (on big booster Bobby Lowder’s private plane, no less) before the season was over to secretly try to hire Bobby Petrino to replace Tommy Tuberville.
Word got out. It was an embarrassment to all. President resigned. AD resigned. Tuberville survived, then went undefeated in 2004, capped off by beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.
So yes, Auburn, as I learned in three years there, is a crazy, crazy place.
zzzzzzzzzzzz…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Up the middle for 2.8 yards we go. Been there done that.
So is Beamer trying to lower the ranking of his offense to prove a point
All right. Whatever is decided I’m behind it. Puttin’ my Hokie Fan hat back on.
Really hope Hite and Cavanaugh still have some role to play and Stinespring is shown the door. It’s terribly undermining to keep a former OC on board and god forbid he should be in some sort of Asst Head Coach role. I really think he needs the change as much as we do.
AB, lots of thoughts here. Not Ecstatic except for Grimes if that is true. That would be an awesome hire, and IMO the line has been the biggest shortcoming Tech has had the last several years. A good O line coach AND recruiter, that is a bonus and great news.
Actually was disappointed in the Loeffler news (again if all this is true) initially. The more I read and hear, I think rather than That I am more in the wait and see camp. LOTS of questions but we will see. On the surface would have expected more from a hall of fame coach, but willing to give it a chance.
Still don’t like the way this was handled no matter how it turns out. Thanks for the insight AB and look forward to more of it with your Auburn connections.
Maybe Beamer can mold the new OC and the old OC into one OC..Now that would be something to look at..NOT!!!! This guy is worse than Stiney. So much for advancement…
HUGE POSITIVE FOR THE HOKIES. Surprise, surprise, Beamer actually found young talent with connections to the SEC and the Big Ten. These two guys will build the offense’s confidence, teach proper technique, keep defenses off balance with pro-style sets that capitalize on VT’s never-ending stable of running backs, and keep Thomas here one more year. Bama is in trouble. The off year at Auburn had a lot to do with injuries, etc. This is a very constructive development for VT PROVIDED Beamer gives the OC the authority to do what he wants and hire who he chooses for wide receivers. This is good news.
OK! Now on the count of one, let’s everybody start trashing the new guys before they are officially hired. Let’s make them feel welcome.
I saw another site that said two high-profile coaches (one being Urban Meyer) recommended Loeffler to Beamer. Then we all know what a loser Meyer is.
We need a change, and we’re getting it – finally. If it fails the new AD can clean house.
Andy thanks for being the voice of reason. Thanks also for stating facts, and not opinions. I look forward to a busy day tomorrow. Go Hokies!
Andy, thanks for the insights. The praise about Grimes we’ve been hearing is great news. I feel every year we have excuses about our OL whether it be that they are young, they are inexperienced, they’re beat up, or they lack depth….it’s always something. I’ve often thought that if we ever got our line together we’d be in great shape.
AB thanks for refreshing my memory.
How does this hire help? We’re going to be even worse than last year! I’m giving up my tickets once and for all.
#23 – Mold the new OC and the old OC into one OC. How far is Auburn from Atlanta? Was it back in the 80″s that a large multi-national corporation tried to take an OC and come out with a NC and it fell as flat as an open soft drink after a few hours. Then the OC got rebranded Classic OC. God Help the Hokies, when the go to Atlanta this year.
Really Jim, worse than before!? And you base that on what?
Great job Andy. To bad most of the comments are coming from experts who I doubt had ever heard of Loeffler and Grimes 4 or 5 days ago. 69Hokie has it right, let’s welcome the newcomers to Hokie Nation. Everyone wanted change and now they’re complaining.
Jim, Glad you’re giving up your tickets, the Hokies don’t need fans like you.
Well said 540Hokie. Apparently Jim forgets that among all the issues at Auburn you can add the fact he play in the SEC. If the signings are fo sure, I welcome them with open arms. A change was needed, we got it. I it doesn’t work out in a few years, look again. Status quo wasn’t working.
Tech is just picking up someone who couldn’t get a job anywhere else, it is just scraps from the football table. Nothing is going to change as long as Beamer and Weaver are running the show. All about job security and duping the Hokie Nation into believing things will be better in 2013. I doubt many of them will be duped as easily this time around though. As far as Logan Thomas’ s press release, who really cares?
99% of the posters call for change and once it’s made 50% think the sky is falling. I’m sure VT won’t score a single point next year. You guys are pathetic. Get behind the change and support the newcomers like Hokie Nation is capable of. Jim, step away from the ledge and try decaf.
It is obvious that all Frank needs to do is hire one of the experts on this blog.
Whom ever VT hires half of you “Hokie” Fans???? will not be satisfied – If we go 12-1 you will still be PI%%eD.
I’ll take a new OC with one bad year rather than what we have had for many years and be stuck with it for years to come. I mean, you cannot get any worse than the bowl game vs. Rutgers. 3 net inches per rush?! As they say on ESPN, C’mon Man! In this case, I’ll dance with the Devil I don’t know, especially if a new OL coach is coming along too.
Hmmm Loeffler was at Auburn all of 1 year. Hard to say it was entirely his offense and therefore his fault
Barry you’ve duped yourself with every football comment you’ve ever made on this blog
You Know 1 Year ago Gene Chizik said this about Scot Loeffler, “Scot is a rising star who has worked with some very good quarterbacks and has achieved a tremendous amount of success,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “He is a tireless worker, is an outstanding recruiter and knows the rigors of competing in this conference. We’re very excited to have Scot join our staff and we welcome him to the Auburn family.” What has changed in 1 Year? Let us welcome this guy in as a true Hokie fan would. With guarded optimism!
If Saban himself has been hired as OC folks would have said, “Gee he really got worked by Texas A&M”. Barry is just upset because his mommy got his bottle of milk too warm tonight before bringing it down to the basement to tuck him in. Sweet dreams cupcake. How’d that bball game work out for you the other night?
Looks like the former Auburn coaching guys wil be Hokies. Maybe they can bring some passion and swagger on how to prepare for a big game every week like it’s done playing big boy football in the SEC. Comparing Auburn 2010 vs. 2012 is unrealistic. Chezik went from the penthouse to the outhouse at the expense of his underlings?? Doubtful since the Auburn crowd thinks they should win every year in a state dominated by Bama!!Playing second fiddle is an Auburn trait in football other than Camball 2010.Call Tuberville @ Cincy for references.
#36 – I said this many times in this space; “replace with what?”. Now you know. Why am I not surprised that so many are negative?
#40 – nicely struck. Barry just can’t accept that we beat them. He would rewrite history if he could write.
Grimes teaches the O-line to bump ‘em and grind ‘em…..Loeffler teaches Logan to loft ‘em…..Loeffler’s offense mows up and down the lawn while Beamer’s on the bench and just looks on…..Loeffler hires his own WR man after Beamer withdraws his over-controlling hand. THEN!!!With things finer than frog-hair….should be worth at least 3 more wins there!!!!!
Loeffler STINKS!! This is coming from a Auburn fan, you guys are in a world of trouble with this guy bad recruiter and not alot of experience. How old is beamer he needs to hang it up after that hire.
We certainly won’t know how the new coaching hire(s) will be for a while. Really 2-3 years, hopefully, as their players/recruits are fully integrated. We’ll probably have a good idea this time next year, though.
I’m taking the optimistic approach. Maybe I’ll complain later, as it might be justified. For now, I don’t see the complaints being founded. VaTech isn’t Temple or Auburn. It’s similar in respects to each, but different in respects. Let’s welcome the new guys. For now, the offensive slate is wiped clean in my view, and I’m giving Loeffler & Grimes a Hokie welcome and hoping for the best.
One HUGE upside? That’s two outside influences on the Hokie staff and the athletic department – both of which have been far too insular for far too long. New blood, new ideas, new perspective. That is a tremendous positive. Their ideas might not work, but at least they will come from outside the bubble. That’s a great thing. A REALLY great thing.
Here’s some info to give a little perspective into what kind of guy Jeff Grimes is OFF the field. A very nice clip, and very illuminating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh6q6TdwGJI
Welcome to the Hokie Nation, Coach Grimes. We hope you and your family love it here.
In case I neglected to earlier – Hey, Coach Loeffler – you & your family are welcome, too!
Inherited talent and year 1. Not enough to form an opinion that strong with
Mikey, you guys take Stiney for awhile.
My God what a welcoming crew many of you are!!! Now you all and I wanted a big change on offense. Well, looks like we got it. If Stiney is as bad as we have all said, if he is as predictable, then this guy at a minimum will be twice as good. Change is no guarantee of success. Previous performance is no guarantee of future performance. Wouldn’t we all feel dumb if Stiney surfaces somewhere as a phenomenal success? I feel bad for Stiney. He is one heck of a nice guy from what I have seen and heard. Job performance is job performance. So it was time for him to go. The least you turkeys can do is give the fngs a chance.
Night night, Barry, mommy’s coming to tuck you in.
Let’s not put the cart before the horse, Stiney, is not gone yet. We have heard the names of the offensive coaches who are leaving or have left except Steiny. Why is he still on the offensive staff?Is there a connection with Stiney and Beamer outside of football? That’s a lot of patience to have for a non performer and where does Weaver fit in? UVA is a prime example of cleaning house or is it a control factor with Beamer. I want to be positive but, making a decision in the eleventh hour is not cool or a confidence builder. I agree with the previous blog Beamer, needs to retire. We need new and fresh ideas, the college game is changing and we need coaches who can adopt to the change. Beamers, old fashion ways and lack of the killer drive is not working. Good Luck Hokies..
All:
Loeffler is a HOME RUN hire. Go back and look at his Temple team from 2011 where he was on the same page as Steve Addazio. You can even view most of those games online in condensed version.
You truly have to throw out last year for Loeffler – he was hired to implement a program (pro style) and get them away from the spread. With a bare cupboard, that’s hard to do.
There’s been nothing but positive press, referrals and coach testimonials regarding Scot.
We’ll start to see dividends immediately on this hire.
Do your own research on him – he’s a great hire.
You can find me an continue this discussion on the VTSCOOP 24/7 board if you wish. But, please – don’t let the no-nothings spoon feed you. Loeffler is a legit – and great hire.
A candle lights others and consumes itself.