SLIPPERY ROCK — Adam Neugebauer knows how to step into a new situation.

- The 2007 North Allegheny graduate was the first quarterback in Art Walker Jr.'s football coaching tenure with the Tigers.

- When he decided he wasn't happy at Joliet (Ill.) junior college, he transferred to West Virginia Wesleyan — and broke 15 school records as a quarterback there.

- When Wesleyan offensive coordinator Gary Goff — now head coach at top-ranked Valdosta State — took the head coaching job at Tiffin, Neugebauer followed him there, became offensive coordinator and coached Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Antonio Pipkin to a record-setting career.

- Hired as Slippery Rock University's offensive coordinator this year, he has helped SRU rank first in the nation in passing efficiency (195.2) and fourth down conversions (80 percent) and third in scoring at 47.9 points per game.

After last year's offensive coordinator, Justin Roper, left to accept the quarterback coaching position at Northern Iowa, The Rock had 226 applicants for the coordinator position.

“We received applications from Division I college coaches all the way down to midget league,” Rock head coach Shawn Lutz said. “I was just looking for the right fit. Experience didn't play that much of a factor.

“I liked his philosophy on offense, how he gets a lot of people involved, works in the tight end and how fast he likes to go (with tempo). It all fit with what we wanted to do here.”

Prior to joining The Rock, Neugebauer served as quarterbacks coach at Div. I Georgetown University in Washington D.C. for two seasons.

“My family lives in the Pittsburgh area and family is important to me,” Neugebauer said. “I like the program here and this was a chance to get closer to home.”

While at Tiffin, Neugebauer helped Pipkin throw for 10,940 yards, produce 13,147 yards of total offense and 15 300-yard passing games. All are Tiffin records.

“We didn't always get along,” Neugebauer said of Pipkin. “Antonio came from Gary, Indiana, and he had a rough upbringing. At times, he hated me. At times, he loved me.

“I had to learn how to coach him. That experience helped me in coaching Roland (Rivers III, SRU's quarterback).”

Rivers III has thrown for 3,107 yards, a school-record 36 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He's completed 72.6 percent of his passes and has rushed for 538 yards and five scores.

SRU is also the only team in the country with three receivers averaging at least 65 yards per game: Henry Litwin (96.3), Jermaine Wynn Jr. (91.9) and Cinque Sweeting (65.7).

“My philosophy is simple. Get the ball in the hands of your playmakers,” Neugebauer said. “We don't just draw up plays. I have Henry's name on a board, then a number of ways listed under his name to get the ball to him ... same thing for Jermaine and Cinque.

“Get those guys the ball in space and let them do their thing.”

The Rock offense has scored fewer than 41 points in a game once this season — a 31-28 win over California (Pa.). It will face fellow unbeaten Kutztown for the PSAC title at noon Saturday.

Kutztown has not allowed more than 28 points to any opponent this season.

“Coach Neugebauer has us prepared for every defense and what it's going to try to do to us,” Rivers III said. “Myself and the other quarterbacks watch a lot of extra film, breaking down the defense we're going to face each week.

“I don't think a defense has stopped us all year. That's because of (Neugebauer) and how well he prepares us.”

Neugebauer will not commit to staying with The Rock for long — not even beyond this season.

He also admits it will be hard to be lured away from the program.

“Coach Lutz trusts his staff, all of us,” Neugebauer said. “He lets us coach. He doesn't micro-manage. That's hard to find these days.

“I love the family aspect at Slippery Rock, too. That all started with (retired coach) George Mihalik and Coach Lutz has continued that. The family feeling was very evident when I interviewed here.

“I'll listen to other offers, see what's out there. But I'm in a great position here,” he added.

Lutz admitted he's unsure how long he will have Neugebauer or any other assistant coach.

“When you win, when you're a national title contender, people want your guys,” Lutz said. “I'll never hold that against anybody on our staff.

“I'd rather have assistant coaches who are good enough to move on.”