GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Scot Loeffler has been named the University of Florida’s new quarterbacks coach, Head Coach Urban Meyer announced on Tuesday. Loeffler has previous college experience at the University of Michigan, guiding quarterback Chad Henne and also worked with Tom Brady and Brian Griese. He will begin working with the Gators on Friday, following UF’s matchup with Oklahoma in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game on Thursday night at Dolphin Stadium.
“Scot is a great addition to our coaching staff,” said Meyer. “He understands the philosophy of our offense and our football program and has great relationships with his players. He obviously has been around some great quarterbacks and is very much a quick study – it won’t take him any time to get acclimated here.”
Loeffler spent the 2008 season coaching the quarterbacks for the Detroit Lions. Previously, he held the same position for the Michigan Wolverines for six seasons. In those six seasons, his quarterbacks threw for 142 touchdowns and just 44 interceptions. Loeffler was instrumental in developing Henne, who became the school’s career leader in passing yards (9,715), touchdowns (87), completions (828) and attempts (1,387). As a true freshman in 2004, Henne threw a school-record-tying 25 touchdown passes and became the first quarterback in Wolverine history to throw 20 or more touchdown passes in each of his first three seasons. He was also the first true freshman quarterback to lead his team to a Big Ten title and start a BCS bowl game. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
“I’m excited to join the Florida coaching staff,” Loeffler said. “I’m very familiar with the offensive philosophy and feel very comfortable with the coaching staff. I’m looking forward to working with a great group of student-athletes and I’m proud to be part of The Gator Nation.”
Loeffler helped develop John Navarre into the team’s first All-Big Ten first-team quarterback since Griese accomplished the feat during the Wovernines’ 1997 national championship season. Navarre set seven season passing marks and six career records at Michigan under Loeffler’s tutelage.
Loeffler played quarterback for the Wolverines from 1993-96, and was a student assistant for the team for one season after a shoulder injury cut his playing career short. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan in 1998. As a grad assistant, he helped coach Brady (NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP) and Griese (NFL Pro Bowler). In 2000, he moved on to Central Michigan as the Chippewas’ quarterbacks’ coach for two years. He returned to Michigan as the quarterbacks’ coach in 2002.
A native of Barberton, Ohio, Loeffler graduated from Michigan with a degree in history and political science in 1998. He also earned the Michigan Athletic Academic Achievement award during the 1997-98 academic year.
The Loeffler File Age: 34 Birthdate: Nov. 1, 1974 Hometown: Barberton, Ohio Education: Michigan (1998)
Coaching Experience 2008 Detroit Lions (Quarterbacks)
2002- 07 Michigan (Quarterbacks)
2000- 01 Central Michigan (Quarterbacks)
1998- 99 Michigan (Graduate Assistant)
1996- 97 Michigan (Student Assistant)
Bowl Games as a Coach
2006 Rose
2005 Alamo
2004 Rose
2003 Rose
2002 Outback
1999 Orange
1998 Citrus