While running the ball is a priority, new OC Scot Loeffler’s biggest job in 2013 is with Logan Thomas
Scot Loeffler‘s first task at Virginia Tech began before he was officially hired. During his second interview, the Hokies’ eventual offensive coordinator met with Logan Thomas, a day before the quarterback had to make his NFL decision.
Loeffler thought the two hit it off and had a similar vision, a logical outcome given their circumstances. Thomas’ development took a step back in his junior year, his first major struggles as a starter. Loeffler suffered through a forgettable year in an intractable situation at Auburn, where his offense was one of the worst statistically in the NCAA.
“I think he’s a guy that’s hungry,” Loeffler said. “Anytime you have some setbacks, you’re hungry. And I think we both had … setbacks last year.”
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Hokies head coach Frank Beamer made it clear Friday that how Virginia Tech runs its offense will be Loeffler’s call, and judging from Loeffler’s pro-style background that was honed at his alma mater at Michigan under Lloyd Carr, there doesn’t seem like there will be any disharmony.
“I mean, I grew up in a program almost identical to this,” said Loeffler, who said it is “fundamental” to have a strong running game, in lockstep with Beamer’s philosophy. “Every time I see coach Beamer, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is like talking to Lloyd.’”
If Carr’s recommendation wasn’t enough to make Beamer comfortable with the hire, new offensive line coach Jeff Grimes‘ description of the 38-year-old Loeffler as a tough-minded coordinator who likes to run the ball certainly did the trick.
“He’s probably in a former life been an offensive lineman,” Grimes said. “Because he has a lot more the temperament and some of the personal habits of an offensive lineman. But he coaches like an offensive line coach does. And what I mean by that is he’s very demanding, he gets after the guys. … I believe wholeheartedly in his ability as a coach, as a coordinator. And I’ve been around some great ones, but this guy has more football knowledge than anybody I’ve ever been around and is a great motivator too.”
Despite all the talk about the running game, Loeffler’s chief task in 2013 will still be getting Thomas back on track to be an All-ACC caliber player. His brief evaluation of the quarterback on tape gives him plenty of reasons to think Thomas will be the next eventual NFL quarterback on his résumé, which includes Brian Griese, Tom Brady, Drew Henson, Chad Henne, John Navarre and Tim Tebow.
“Some of the things that he does that are really, really difficult, he does them easy,” Loeffler said. “And you can’t coach that. I don’t care. There are some things that he does that are really, really hard. I watched him chin-over-toe escape to his left and make this freaky throw that not too many guys could do. So some things like that that are easy, I think we can make them a little easier for him, to be more productive.”
Loeffler, like everyone who encounters Thomas, sees the strength and size. But he also came away impressed by the quarterback’s team-first mentality, which he thinks was evident in Thomas’ decision to return to Virginia Tech for his senior season.
In conversations with Loeffler on Friday, the coach stresses toughness and technique from his quarterbacks.
“I just believe in them,” he said. “It’s the thing that gets you out of trouble when things are going bad. The great ones, they’re all fundamentally sound. …
“Our whole objective with Logan is to get him fundamentally as best as we can and make him good at the things he can control,” he said later. “And the things you can’t, you can’t. Most of the time, whenever you’re controlling what you can control, good things happen to you.”
Loeffler has found that with quarterbacks he’s had in the past. He was a senior at Michigan in 1996, his career finished because of a rotator cuff surgery, when Brady arrived in Ann Arbor. As Loeffler transitioned to a student assistant and later graduate assistant working with quarterbacks, his friendship and working relationship with Brady blossomed. (Brady, in fact, was one of the groomsmen in his wedding.)
“He is the best,” said Loeffler, who pegged Brady for big things before he found NFL stardom. “He’s the most fierce competitor, tough. I love him.”
When Loeffler took the quarterback job at Florida in 2009, he met up with Tebow, whose quarterbacking style was non-traditional but mental makeup was off the charts.
“He has every intangible that you would ever want,” Loeffler said. “No one’s perfect. Someone’s flawed. Most of the time, all your intangibles, your toughness, your mental makeup, how you approach things, your leadership, they always override your fundamental problems that you can’t correct. … I’m not betting against that guy, ever.”
Loeffler’s career hasn’t all been smooth, however. His one-year stop at Auburn, only the second of his career as a coordinator, was a disaster. The Tigers relied on a pair of young quarterbacks — true sophomore Kiehl Frazier and true freshman Jonathan Wallace — and saw little to no improvement in the passing game. Auburn ranked near the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision in almost every offensive category. The Tigers finished 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the SEC, leading to the dismissal of head coach Gene Chizik and his entire staff.
Loeffler didn’t get into the specifics of what went wrong at Auburn out of respect for the people he worked with, although he’s not fearful that he will be forever judged by his year there.
“You’ve got to learn real quick that in this business, there’s going to be ups, there’s going to be downs.,” he said. “There’s going to be times when you play really well, there’s going to be times when you don’t. There’s going to be times when you coach really well and there’s going to be times that you don’t. Obviously, one little setback is not going to define who I am or what I believe in. I’m good.”
He says he’s tired of the itinerant lifestyle. Other than a six-year stint as Michigan’s quarterbacks coach from 2002-07, Loeffler has bounced around the profession. He spent a year with the Detroit Lions, two with Florida, one with Temple and one with Auburn before ending up at Virginia Tech.
“I really want to be at a place where I can go recruit a guy, develop him and watch him graduate, go to the NFL, win and go get another one,” Loeffler said. “But the bouncing? I’m ready to sit for a while to say the least. I’m ready to go back and do what I did when I was in Ann Arbor.”
Although he’s eager to develop a player from scratch, he’ll inherit Thomas, someone who he thinks fits the bill on his checklist of quarterback wants – smart, tough, loves the game and is a leader with talent.
“The wonderful thing we have going with Logan is that there are some things that he does really good, and the things that he needs to work on, you can fix quickly,” Loeffler said. “It’s not like we’re recreating a motion or something of that nature. …
“The wonderful thing about the quarterback position is that you’ve never arrived. The Joe Montanas, the Bradys of the world, the Brett Favres, they’re always trying to get better. We’re trying to chase perfection. You’re never going to get there. So you’re always working at something to improve your game.”
January 26, 2013 - 12:00 PM
So why are we hiring a guy who had the worst O in the NCAA last year? It might be time for Frank to go and let Bud run the team.
Because you obviously have no idea why it was the worst O, here is a guy who was hired to run a pro style offense at Auburn after Malzan left, but he only had a team full of players recruited for a spread offense, of course you are gonna fail, he would have needed at least 3 years to recruit his type of players, you can’t switch to a completely different offensive philosophy and master it in one year, every team that switches like that has a really bad year until they get the pieces in place, he never got that chance, beamer knows what hes doing Loffler is perfect fit for VT, don’t assume until you do the research
The only issue I have is the mere fact that they are essentially handing the job to Logan Thomas without any competition. The new coach hasn’t seen what Leal or one of the freshman like Hodges or Parker brings to the table. I still say if any of the QB’s beats out Thomas, the Hokies need to roll with him and Thomas should make the switch to wideout. 6 foot 6 Thomas, 6 foot 5 Smith, 6 foot 4 Coles and the other receivers would be the best in college football.
RustyG….you obviously did not read yesterdays article listing top tier coaches Beamer consulted with who recommended Loeffler, you obviously did not read this entire article or understand it, and you obviously don’t understand football or athletics in general. Quit acting like you’re a fan and go back to sleep.
One comment I like is something I’ve preached all along, offensive linemen have a different mindset. Some converted tight ends have worked out but in the big picture, once an offensive lineman, always an offensive lineman. Tech needs to recruit linemen, just linemen. Mentally, they are a different breed. If you watch all the top teams, the OL makes its initial block and then goes headhunting down field, not lay on the ground satisfied with their initial attempt. That and serious weight room time will bring results. Never satisfied with their effort is what’s required.
Rusty, find another team to root for if you don’t like the hires.
I’m more than willing to give Loeffler the benefit of doubt since Auburn was a dumpster fire before Loeffler came aboard. The players quit on Loeffler.
I think Thomas will bounce back. It also depends on having the run game get back to being bruising and take the load off Thomas. Morehead sounds like he is going to make the receivers work hard.
Things appear to be looking up.
You look at more than one year. We do not know exactly what happened at Auburn. You can bet that Beamer got that information. That along with information from other coaches convinced him to take a chance on the man. We will see what happens over the next couple years.
By the way, Bud has never been a head coach, why do you think he will be any good at that?
We are hiring a guy who wants to settle down and not bounce around from team to team. One year at Auburn using players he did not recruit and was a bust after Cam Newton left. People need to stop judging him for his past and lets start judging him as a Hokie.
The proof shall come later, but there is nothing about this printed conversation that would not prohibit even the most casual observer from holding optimism for the Virginia Tech offensive situation. If indeed this combination works, I hope Rusty and the other naysayers (including poison ivy Barry) will remember their vitriolic comments as they are looking for somebody to high five with when six points are registered for the Hokies next fall. If the offense fails, they can return and jump on the ‘too old Frank Beamer’ bandwagon again. I have become weary of all this second guessing from you curmudgeons who probably don’t even go to the games or criticize a quarterback’s throws and who can’t find their car in the parking lot. Either get on board or get off
I was one of the first to call for offensive changes. I got to the point where I was saying if FB can’t see what’s going on then he needs to go too. With these hires I am content. On the surface I think FB got it right. Only time will tell but the new guys sound good. With Thomas, Loeffler has a foundation to build on and there is a foundation at WR. Grimes is the one who has his work cut out for him, he has to develop a nasty attitude in the line that I haven’t seen lately. Whether or not he can do that with the talent on hand will determine how the entire offensive side of the team looks this coming season. I have confidence the improvements will come I just don’t know how quickly. With an improved offense the defense will start playing even better because they can stop playing not to lose and start playing to win. I’m excited to see some old fashioned VT slobber knocking football.
Time will tell if Loeffler can turn Tech and Thomas around. I am sure there are a few skeptics in this room that do not want to admit to being that way. Unlike Beamer, I am looking forward to change. I personally hope and wish that this does work for Tech, as I am sure all of you want it to do too. Time will tell if this hire works.
757. LT has 37 career passing TD’s, over 1,000 rushing yds, holds the VT single season total offense record over people such as Vick, Taylor and Strock, was considered to be a possible first round draft pick, has his new coach heaping praise on him and you want to revert to TE and instead start a fellow who in two years remains untested and has thrown only 19 passes? I really don’t understand that. I think in this case we should acquiesce to the experts, i.e. coaches who know these players.
Infusion of new coaching talent, good recruiting class, and some good redshirts who practiced all year. Add in existing staff that will benefit from transplant of energy and ideas from Loeffler, Grimes, and Morehead. Many who comment here don’t consider all the o-line shuffling from injuries that went on this year and its affect on running game and quarterback performance. Sounds like o-linemen will have at least three people lighting a fire under them at all times. Personally can’t wait! Logan Thomas with time to operate will be a different quarterback. No offense to any other current or incoming qb, but
No one will beat out L.T. For starting job.
Tom L. And Steve 78, I think you guys got it right in your comments on the offensive line. If Grimes can come in and instill a good bit of nasty attitude in the offensive line, especially with the ones who are already there, Tech could see immediate improvements in the offense’ s performance, especially the run game. If the coaches have to recruit new blood with that kind of attitude, it may take them a couple of seasons to see the results everyone wants. It’s a fact that running the ball begins and ends with the big boys up front, and if the new coaches can get that piss and vinegar -break their legs attitude in the guys in the trenches I believe the running backs the Hokies already have could run wild, but they have to have holes to run through. Not to mention Thomas doesn’t need to lead the team in rushing again next year! I could accept that if he were a Pat White or RG III type but he’s not. Change is good….and I am hoping it will immediately be great for the Hokies.
757,I imagine everybody gets a look in spring and fall practice. The job is Logan’s to lose. If Hodges or Leal pay substantially above him in practice, the coaches are going to do what is best for the team and the security of their positions.
Everyone calls for blood. So they get blood and don’t like the outcome? Why is this no surprise. Some people just are unreasonable.
My question to all the howlers earlier this year was “Fire the bunch and replace them with what?” Everyone says “Spread offense guys”. OK, but Beamer runs the team. So what do the howlers think Beamer was going to hire?
I hope these guys are the answer. At the very least you all can give them a chance before calling for blood.
If Texas A&M can turn it around in one season I see no reason why Tech cant do the same.
Logan Thomas can’t be the only threat in the backfield.
Tech needs a receiver to step it up next year, sounds as if the blocking issue (receivers) might be on the cure with this new hire. The line can produce with the right coaching. Special teams need to be ‘special’ once again. The defense…what can you say with the new talent comin’ in, and Foster….well….Foster. ‘Nuf said.
And Beamer has done more for Tech (and sw virginia) than anyone could have ever guessed, much less expected. Do we have the national championships of Miami? Well, …no. Do we have the cloud hanging over us that Miami does? Well, …no. What will all the Beamer haters do if he should really pull it off and get Tech back into the national limelight? What will Barry have to say then? Who will Peppers Fairy watch on saturday afternoons??
Be careful what you ask for. You might get it. Get it?
pete
It’s going to be interesting to see which running back/s step up. I thought Edmunds looked good last spring but just needs to learn to run behind his pads a little more. Who knows what Harris will bring. We need two really good running backs to emerge. I’m also interested to see what kind of role the TE and FB will play in our new offense. I predict a record breaking crowd at the spring game this year.
Just glad change has come to Blacksburg. Thinking back there were many calling for Ricky Bustle’s noggin too. He sure did some bonehead things at times with the play calls. Stinespring seemed much worse, though. Bustle at least understood quarterbacks since he was the CO & quarterbacks coach. There was a definite disconnect over the last few years in the scheme in every discipline, o-line, receivers, quarterbacks, running backs. No coherence, no coordination. Welcome Loeffler!!! Get it done Son!! GO HOKIES!
757 – I hate to break it to you but there is no way in heck that LT is not the starter next year. Leal may be decent but he doesn’t have 2 years of experience and can’t run like LT either – never going to happen in a million years. Plus Frank Beamer is too loyal to give up on a player who opted from the NFL draft where he stood to make some decent money if nothing else.
As for offensive lineman. If you take a walk through a dozen High Schools you’ll find that 6’5″ 17 year olds who can put on 300 pounds and bench 400 don’t grow on trees. There is NOTHING harder than recruiting offensive linemen. Those few that standout get gobbled up by the big boys whom we are not. Still we have done a mediocre job at best. Perhaps some new energy at the coaching position will help, at least temporarily, but these guys are nearly impossible to find and incredibly easy to pick wrong.
I’ll certainly give Loeffler and company a chance and hope for the best but despite the rantings of a few I don’t think it was the way to go. We’re never going to compete with the big boys playing their game. We will never recruit the player of the dozen top programs and those of you who whinned about Stinesprings play calling for much of the past decade (but not this past year interestingly enough) have short memories. How many times have you thrown your hands up at Frank Beamer’s plodding offense. “So unimaginative” you screamed. “So predictable” you pleaded. Well you just traded in your 2002 Green Mercury Sable for the red 2005 model. The pistol, despite the poor performance this year, is the type of rock David must sling if he hopes to beat Goliath. We didn’t execute it well and our talent didn’t support it. Despite the losses, I can’t remember ever thinking this offense was not a vast improvement. Unfortunately Logan Thomas’s accuracy took a turn and coupled with some uninspired receiver play (except Fuller) and a weak stable of running backs I’m afraid it’s gone forever. Still, I’m hopeful.
Fans have a right to have been disappointed all these many years despite the 10 win seasons. The wins were not a tribute to our offense which was almost always a sub top 50 offense. Fans have a right to question whether more of the same, which Beamer has admitted, is what we’ve waited for.
I do like the energy of the new coaches and think at least temporarily we’ll get a recruiting boost. Maybe, just maybe it’s crazy enought to work.
good spin, redwolfie!!
Cupcake wins! Bring back AUSTIN PEAY!
I’m not condeming Thomas’ ability as a QB in any way. I hope he progresses and makes it clear in the spring that he is the man. With that being said, he did throw 16 picks last year. SIXTEEN! Much of that is on the coaches, but much of that is on Logan’s decision making too. And to the folks who keep saying that Tech is not one of the ‘big boys,’ this is true, but the state of Virginia for football talent is. Offensive lineman are hard to find in Virginia? Kyle Long (Oregon), Bobby Massey (Arizona Cardinals), Morgan Moses (UVA), Quinton Spain (West Virginia); all of them should have been in a Tech uniform.
I hope this works,i remember when Bustle was there i said it can’t get any worse, and along came Stinney, oh well maby this time it will be different. i sure hope so. Give the new guys a chance before we start to critize. We might just love them like Foster!!!!!!!!!!
Bring on cupcake UVA!!
Guys, I understand to extent regarding recruiting top players however, I believe with talent tech had last year, they could have won 10 games. I believe what last year showed was a lack of coaching ability with young players. A good coach should be able to coach a player up regardless of his tenure, coaching the player to his strengths and building on his weakness by placing the player in a position to succeed. Tech needs to stop playing only the players who have some sort of connections and play those players who deserve to play. Someone mention that tech should give M.Leal, an opportunity at playing Q.B. I would say tech should give him more playing time, to get the experience he will need. I don’t understand why tech does not rotate players on the debt chart to increase confidence and experience in case the starter gets injured. Instead of throwing a player with no experience into the mix in a close game and expect him to respond, when knowing dam well that player only gets limited reps in practice. I hope the new oc rotates players who earn it into the game and remove the non performers.