Tommy Rees to Alabama: Fans, media react to Rees' departure from Notre Dame
Tommy Rees is leaving Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator position to take the same job at Alabama, according to multiple reports.
Rees served on Notre Dame’s coaching staff from 2017-2022, including a 3-season run as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2020-22. Notre Dame went 30-7 over his 3 seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator.
It’s unclear how his departure will impact incoming quarterback Sam Hartman, who transferred in from Wake Forest earlier this offseason.
Rees, 30, has only worked at Notre Dame as an on-field assistant. He did spend 1 year at Northwestern as a graduate assistant, but otherwise his only college coaching experience is in South Bend.
Notre Dame is expected to make a hire outside the program for its next offensive coordinator.
Here’s some of the reaction to this move:
I've always felt Tommy Rees was a good playcaller. Injuries forced him to call plays with one hand tied behind his back a bit last season. It's a good hire for Alabama. No idea if it'll work out.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) February 3, 2023
Tommy Rees is a good offensive coordinator.
He won eight regular season games – and a Gator Bowl – this past season with below average quarterback play and a bunch of ¯_(ツ)_/¯ at wide receiver.
Excellent opportunity for him at Alabama.
Notre Dame has to get this hire right.
— Walker Carey (@walkerRcarey) February 3, 2023
Not pumped about the short term impact, but very happy for Tommy Rees to show the average football fan what so many NFL types have been raving about. A for him to tighten up but never had the personnel to run his ideal Offense (some of this was his own doing). 🍿🍿🍿
— Marshall Osborne (@MarshallOsborne) February 3, 2023
Tommy Rees will be a head coach somewhere in a few years https://t.co/lNt0fMUOKh
— EvanJ AllAccess (@EvanJThomas) February 3, 2023
Good for Tommy Rees but I think there's an opportunity to upgrade there.
— p a n i c s t r e a k (@panicstreak) February 3, 2023
I think what hurts the most is that I'm going to have to be happy for Bama when they win. I've been an ND fan ever since 04, but I really started following them when Tommy Rees was the qb. Thank you for everything that you did for this program. Bama got a good one🍀 @T_Rees11
— Colby Van🍀 (@ArmlessFreak) February 3, 2023
Done. Tommy Rees to Alabama.
As I wrote earlier today, this is a massive opportunity for Marcus Freeman to go big at offensive coordinator. And it’s one Notre Dame’s head coach has been preparing for.https://t.co/kzUthnIBhC https://t.co/IbQ5sjMZ9N
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) February 3, 2023
https://t.co/gZK02auTMU pic.twitter.com/41mGQRM5ur
— CJ Errickson (@CJE_NFL) February 3, 2023
So Tommy Rees wouldn't follow Brian Kelly to LSU because it was the right thing to do to stay at ND, but leaves to Bama after signing day LOL https://t.co/XlOkkBIKtb
— Aadam Ahmed (@aadamahmed_) February 3, 2023
Tommy Rees is my Quarterback. Won’t believe it till I see it https://t.co/aWg1Pgv8qG
— Connor Novakov (@cnovakov_) February 3, 2023
Tommy Rees leaving ND is because he wants to be an NFL HC/OC, plain and simple. And one of the best ways to prepare is to go work under the best coach in CFB, with the best recruits in the nation with a proven track record of getting coaches into the NFL.
— JF (@JF_Fey) February 3, 2023
Tommy Rees you weren’t great… however I respect you. Good luck at Bama. ND still is gonna beat bama in the playoffs this year. Sam Hartman szn
— Owen Flanagan (@0f11anagan) February 3, 2023
Rees has been in high demand the past two off seasons. Kelly wanted to bring him to LSU and failed and now Saban actually poaches him. https://t.co/UtJXpaZL9L
— TMac (@BourbonGator84) February 3, 2023
Big opportunity here for Marcus Freeman to hire his own OC versus the arranged marriage he walked into. Could easily make or break his tenure. https://t.co/Tqonn8AFae
— FrankieV UHND ☘️ (@FrankieV_UHND) February 3, 2023
Pretty shocking ascent for 30-year old Tommy Rees.
Now OC for the Saban Bama dynasty. https://t.co/yifxFIoSOJ
— Steve Frederick (@SteveFrederick_) February 3, 2023
Oh great…you lose what should've been a lifer to Bama. Rees will be a HC within two years https://t.co/VPwxTUTkP7
— Chris (@ct401) February 3, 2023
Good luck with that Saban 😂😂😂 https://t.co/Zmn0YBxEX5
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) February 3, 2023
Does this mean I actually have to follow through with my promise to help him pack?? https://t.co/BzD1aj3cIn
— Booker (@Booker__Leslie) February 3, 2023
