When Scot Loeffler was named Auburn's new offensive coordinator, he got a congratulatory phone call. Pretty standard procedure--except the caller was two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady.
"It was a great conversation and he goes, 'Scot, you got one of the best jobs in America. Go be yourself. Go be who you are, and go keep being a team guy and you'll help Auburn,' Loeffler said. "And that's all I want to do is I want to help Auburn and keep the traditions that have been instilled at this place for several years."
Loeffler, 37, began his career as a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan after playing quarterback there from 1993-96. Brady was starting quarterback for the Wolverines during the '98 and '99 seasons.
Loeffler has 14 years of experience coaching in college and the NFL.
After leaving Michigan for a two-year stint at Central Michigan University beginning in 2000, he returned to Ann Arbor to coach quarterbacks for the next seven years under coach Lloyd Carr.
A one-year position with the Detroit Lions led him to his first taste of the Southeastern Conference with the Florida Gators.
At Florida, Loeffler was the position coach for one of the most decorated players in college football history: Tim Tebow.
Loeffler took the offensive coordinator position at Temple University following the 2010 season, and the Owls finished the season seventh in total rushing yards, averaging over 250 yards per game.
Loeffler has coached spread, pro-style and power-running offenses during his career.
"I like it all," Loeffler said. "We're going to take our players, we are going to assess exactly what they do best, and then we are going to form that offense around them."
Loeffler's track record has many regarding him as a quarterback guru.
He's coached Brady, Tebow, Brian Griese, Chad Henne, Drew Henson and John Navarre--each of whom was drafted and started in the NFL.
Loeffler will have talent to work with at the position for the 2012 season: returning are junior Clint Moseley and sophomore Kiehl Frazier, neither of whom appeared to solidify their role as starting quarterback last season.
Also, true freshman Zeke Pike has enrolled early and is currently taking classes.
"(Loeffler) is really great in relating with players and being able to--which was one of the most important things to me--develop a quarterback," Chizik said.
Loeffler's job was made easier with the return of offensive weapons Onterio McCalebb, Philip Lutzenkirchen and Emory Blake, but the fate of Auburn's offense rests on the shoulders of whoever is under center for the Tigers.
Loeffler's former boss believes any of Auburn's quarterbacks will learn from him.
"He's a great teacher," Carr said. "There's not a QB out there that wouldn't enjoy playing for him."
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