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Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator following the departure of Bill O’Brien back to the New England Patriots.
Saban has already reportedly been rebuffed once by Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who instead opted to stick with the Huskies and head coach Kaelen DeBoer.
But now it appears that the Tide are zeroing in on a new target, and they’re looking to poach one of college football’s premier programs.
ESPN’s Chris Low reports that Alabama is now targeting Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to fill the same position in Tuscaloosa
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has emerged as the top target for @AlabamaFTBL’s OC job. Rees has had discussions with Nick Saban and is scheduled to be on campus Thursday, sources tell ESPN. Saban is looking to replace Bill O’Brien, who left for the Patriots’ OC job.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 2, 2023
Reese, who is just 30 years old, took over in South Bend in 2020 after spending the three previous years as the quarterbacks coach at his Alma Mater. He’s considered a rising star in the world of coaching. But not everyone is as sold on his accolades.
We want BoB back https://t.co/FjteeKZmV1 pic.twitter.com/z02f4vhTEU
— Ashton Hamilton (@AWHam334) February 2, 2023
If this is the best we can do it might be time to have some difficult conversations https://t.co/3XoKoNvwhO
— WMack (@WMack) February 2, 2023
Didn’t think it was possible to get a worse OC than Bill O’Brien. The dynasty is officially over https://t.co/q2HZBK4ZUN
— MGo🫘 (@MJoeBean) February 2, 2023
Rees is certainly divisive. Alabama fans seemed unhappy with the link. But Notre Dame fans seemed equally unhappy at the idea of losing him.
Brian Kelly handpicked Rees as the Irish’s offensive coordinator in 2020. But when Kelly left for Notre Dame a year ago, Rees opted to remain in South Bend.
The results were not exactly encouraging. Notre Dame ranked 41st in the nation in points per game at just over 32. Quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne struggled to develop, and head coach Marcus Freeman had to rely heavily on his defense.
But the year prior was a different story. The Irish ranked in the top 20 in the nation at over 35 points per game. The 32 points per game in 2022 were the lowest of Rees’ three years in charge.
He’s also known as a dynamite recruiter. Rees was instrumental in landing the commitment of 2024 five-star QB C.J. Carr. Carr is the grandson of legendary Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.
Whether it works out of not, it’ll surely shake up the college football world if Rees leaves South Bend for Tuscaloosa.