Former U-M quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler impressive in role with Lions

Former U-M quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler impressive in role with Lions
BY MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • May 23, 2008

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When Scot Loeffler joined his fellow Michigan assistant coaches on the unemployment line in December, many speculated he wouldn't be there long.
A few major colleges courted the quarterbacks coach, and he landed with the Lions -- despite being only 33 years old with no NFL experience.

"He's definitely unique compared to the other guys I've had," said Lions' backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who has served under QB coaches Adam Gase, Mike Martz and Greg Olson before Loeffler. "Not anything against those guys, but he's real knowledgeable about the game, offensively and defensively. He knows how to attack certain things, and he likes to be highly aggressive.

"I'm not saying he likes to throw the ball downfield 20-30 yards every play, but he likes to attack what they're giving you. He likes to be on the offensive."

As a brisk and chilly wind whipped around Thursday morning's minicamp practice, Loeffler was one of the few people on the field -- players or coaches -- in shorts. On many plays, Loeffler stepped up to the quarterback taking the snap and provided instructions. He talked to them more after the plays -- especially Orlovsky and Jon Kitna's other backup, Drew Stanton.
That teaching ability was what secured the job in the first place.

"When he came and interviewed, he was really sharp, strong, understands what he's teaching and is a very good teacher," said Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who admired Loeffler's persistence. "That was one thing I wanted more than anything, a guy that could really take a subject, present it on the board and teach well and have a command of the English language. That's really important. He really demonstrated that when he interviewed here."

After six seasons on the Michigan staff, Loeffler is embracing his new role. He said it made a big difference that Michigan "played the game like the NFL plays the game."

"It's been an absolute wonderful experience. Matt Millen and Rod Marinelli, they're awesome in every sense of the word," Loeffler said last week before playing in a charity golf tournament at the U-M Golf Course. "It's going to be exciting for the Lions this year. We've got a great group of guys. We've got great quarterbacks, and it's going to be fun."

COACH SPEAK: Marinelli, on what he sees as an improvement in locker-room cohesion.

"The thing where I see it probably as much as any is the day-to-day consistency. I'll get on them, but it's more of a mental thing here or a detail there. But the energy they come out with day in and day out, they see what I want, how fast we need to play.

"The more I think we can simplify what we're asking them to do, and it allows them to just go fast. And players like going fast. They want to go execute, put it on their shoulders and go win a game by execution.

"A bunch of guys are tight -- I just feel it. That really gets tested when we hit adversity. When adversity hits, then we'll see how strong we are. But I believe in my heart we are."