Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[GreenGemsOmally]

I understand the frustration but if rumors are to be believed he's given up what most people would consider life changing money in order to remain here. I'm not so naive that I think it was purely out of the goodness of his heart, he did get a nice pay raise after all, but I think he's done a fairly commendable job of balancing being loyal to Notre Dame and being in the "Tommy Rees business."

This is how I feel about it. He turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary difference to not follow BK to LSU and instead chose to stay at Notre Dame for another year. I know that if I was in a job position that asked me to move somewhere but they were going to pay half a million dollars more, well... my loyalty is much more mercenary than most. That kind of salary change is a "work for a few years and then retire on a beach permanently" kind of money and I don't fault him in the least for continuing to take calls and keep networking opportunities open for down the line.

 

[ulukinatme]

What would that business even sell? How to not be fast enough to outrun a cop?

You underestimate SB PD. Tommy outran Michigan's defense, but not the police. That might be a bigger indictment of the Michigan defense tbh.

 

[Rack Em]

What would that business even sell? How to not be fast enough to outrun a cop?

Yes

 

[Irish#1]

This is how I feel about it. He turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary difference to not follow BK to LSU and instead chose to stay at Notre Dame for another year. I know that if I was in a job position that asked me to move somewhere but they were going to pay half a million dollars more, well... my loyalty is much more mercenary than most. That kind of salary change is a "work for a few years and then retire on a beach permanently" kind of money and I don't fault him in the least for continuing to take calls and keep networking opportunities open for down the line.

I'm not sure I could turn it down either, but he probably knows that the money will be there when he's ready to move. He might have been apprehensive about taking the job given he was going to be at a place where Kelly's style at least on the outside doesn't seem like a fit for LSU.

 

[Irish4life]

This is how I feel about it. He turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary difference to not follow BK to LSU and instead chose to stay at Notre Dame for another year. I know that if I was in a job position that asked me to move somewhere but they were going to pay half a million dollars more, well... my loyalty is much more mercenary than most. That kind of salary change is a "work for a few years and then retire on a beach permanently" kind of money and I don't fault him in the least for continuing to take calls and keep networking opportunities open for down the line.

Why are we acting like he's not making great money at ND?

 

[greyhammer90]

Why are we acting like he's not making great money at ND?

I've not seen anyone say that ND isn't compensating him fairly. The point is that nearly everyone would consider it if they got a call from another employer and were offered a >20% raise. Assuming the rumored offers are true, it's silly to act like a 30 year old who is turning down hundreds of thousands of dollars for the privilege of living in South Bend isn't portraying appropriate levels of loyalty because he's thinking about it before making his decision.

 

[IrishRazor82]

I'm guessing with no info but just common sense that MF and Rees had convos behind the scenes and Rees has a handshake deal to just give MF one year of stability. And MF will happily refer him after this season, but give him 1 year considering everything.

 

[HouseofPain]

Not meaning to get off anyone's Christmas card list but I just dont see it. I dont see any great degree of Offensive genius or QB development AT THIS POINT that would indicate this guy is the next great thing. I didnt see anything awesome about the offense last year to have a wow factor and I believe it would be reasonable to guess that this years offensive production will be down from last year as well.

Not saying I know what Im talking about as clearly people can see and know worlds more than I see. Im just saying nothing jumps out special to me about the guy. I saw his OC promotion as more of willingness to develop a coach and somewhat as part of the good ole boy system that BK loved to do during his ND years. Maybe Im wrong and blind as well?

 

[IrishRazor82]

Not meaning to get off anyone's Christmas card list but I just dont see it. I dont see any great degree of Offensive genius or QB development AT THIS POINT that would indicate this guy is the next great thing. I didnt see anything awesome about the offense last year to have a wow factor and I believe it would be reasonable to guess that this years offensive production will be down from last year as well.

Not saying I know what Im talking about as clearly people can see and know worlds more than I see. Im just saying nothing jumps out special to me about the guy. I saw his OC promotion as more of willingness to develop a coach and somewhat as part of the good ole boy system that BK loved to do during his ND years. Maybe Im wrong and blind as well?

I think he's highly regarded as a play designer. But QB development, and in game adjustments, I agree with you - IDK how someone can think he's ready for the next step based on those two areas.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think he's highly regarded as a play designer. But QB development, and in game adjustments, I agree with you - IDK how someone can think he's ready for the next step based on those two areas.

WTF are you talking about? The guy that turned Ian Book into the all-time winningest QB in ND history can't develop talent? The OC who schemed us to a victory over Clemson in '20 with Book under center can't make "in game adjustments"? FOH.

 

[IrishRazor82]

WTF are you talking about? The guy that turned Ian Book into the all-time winningest QB in ND history can't develop talent? The OC who schemed us to a victory over Clemson in '20 with Book under center can't make "in game adjustments"? FOH.

I think Ian Book got more lost as time went on. Rees has been OC or QB coach for what, 5 years? What QB was great?

The collapse in the Fiesta bowl was literally historic, and the OSU defense absolutely stopping ND dead in their tracks in the 2nd half matters.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think Ian Book got more lost as time went on. Rees has been OC or QB coach for what, 5 years? What QB was great?

The collapse in the Fiesta bowl was literally historic, and the OSU defense absolutely stopping ND dead in their tracks in the 2nd half matters.

Which QB on our roster had the talent to be "great"? Of Book's weaknesses, "lack of development" was never one of them. Rees squeezed every ounce of potential out of him.

In the Fiesta Bowl, Rees' game plan gave us a commanding 1st half lead against the 2nd best defense in the nation, and Coan broke multiple passing records in the process. It wasn't his fault that Elston failed to make the adjustments necessary to hang onto the lead. Yes, the Pokes defense eventually adapted, and we didn't have a viable alternative to keep up the pressure. But that's what happens when you're already on Plan "F" because you're fielding a statue at QB, a mash-unit at OL, your 1st string RB/captain opts out and you have no proven playmakers at WR.

 

[Dale]

I think Ian Book got more lost as time went on. Rees has been OC or QB coach for what, 5 years? What QB was great?

The collapse in the Fiesta bowl was literally historic, and the OSU defense absolutely stopping ND dead in their tracks in the 2nd half matters.

Calling Ian Book “lost” is like example 3 or 4 of just tossing around things about Book like he didn’t win almost every damn game he played. Sounds like you have an opinion of Rees but very rooted in a cavalier opinion on Book.

 

[Valpodoc85]

MF is going to be a great ND ambassador

 

[IrishRazor82]

Calling Ian Book “lost” is like example 3 or 4 of just tossing around things about Book like he didn’t win almost every damn game he played. Sounds like you have an opinion of Rees but very rooted in a cavalier opinion on Book.

Book's pocket presence got worse as time went on. And in year 3 of starting he still routinely ran out of bounds rather than throw the ball away. That's something seniors in HS don't even do anymore. He looked less natural as time went on - I don't think that's credit to Book or Rees.

 

[Irish#1]

Which QB on our roster had the talent to be "great"? Of Book's weaknesses, "lack of development" was never one of them. Rees squeezed every ounce of potential out of him.

In the Fiesta Bowl, Rees' game plan gave us a commanding 1st half lead against the 2nd best defense in the nation, and Coan broke multiple passing records in the process. It wasn't his fault that Elston failed to make the adjustments necessary to hang onto the lead. Yes, the Pokes defense eventually adapted, and we didn't have a viable alternative to keep up the pressure. But that's what happens when you're already on Plan "F" because you're fielding a statue at QB, a mash-unit at OL, your 1st string RB and captain opts out and you have no proven playmakers at WR.

You're letting facts sway your thinking Whiskey.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I think Ian Book got more lost as time went on. Rees has been OC or QB coach for what, 5 years? What QB was great?

The collapse in the Fiesta bowl was literally historic, and the OSU defense absolutely stopping ND dead in their tracks in the 2nd half matters.

So I guess we are doing this again?

Next time a QB fails, are we going to move the goal post and blame TR? MFMF,.... We can't blame FBK anymore.

This argument has been proven false on SO many levels, by SO many experts. TR is a wanted man.... "yeah but his play call on 3rd/ short was awful". COME ON.... this is so friggin boring now.

 

[IrishLion]

Book's pocket presence got worse as time went on. And in year 3 of starting he still routinely ran out of bounds rather than throw the ball away. That's something seniors in HS don't even do anymore. He looked less natural as time went on - I don't think that's credit to Book or Rees.

Again, he was doing this to avoid any risk of a turnover. He was risk-averse to a fault, which I think we can blame on BK, rather than Rees.

It was maddening, but when you've got four years of BK doing everything he can to make you believe that turnovers will cause the apocalypse, I get it.

 

[GreenGemsOmally]

Again, he was doing this to avoid any risk of a turnover. He was risk-averse to a fault, which I think we can blame on BK, rather than Rees.

It was maddening, but when you've got four years of BK doing everything he can to make you believe that turnovers will cause the apocalypse, I get it.

Exactly. SO much of BK's entire coaching style was entirely too conservative. Special Teams were conservative to a fault, the offense was built on "never turn the ball over, even if you don't actually advance at all", good RBs on a streak who made a single mistake or got a ball punched out would sometimes find themselves benched and take them completely out of a groove.

If there's one thing I'm excited for with BK gone, is Freeman trying to adapt the team to more of a killer mentality, rather than this "afraid to win". How many times did it bite us in the ass where we took the foot off the pedal so early because BK was just being conservative, rather than keeping the pressure on?

 

[ulukinatme]

So I guess we are doing this again?

Next time a QB fails, are we going to move the goal post and blame TR? MFMF,.... We can't blame FBK anymore.

This argument has been proven false on SO many levels, by SO many experts. TR is a wanted man.... "yeah but his play call on 3rd/ short was awful". COME ON.... this is so friggin boring now.

Some people can't separate Tommy the player and Tommy the coach. These people will forever have an axe to grind against a guy that has given a solid decade to the university and turned down more lucrative offers out of loyalty. It's kinda sad.

 

[stlnd01]

Some people can't separate Tommy the player and Tommy the coach. These people will forever have an axe to grind against a guy that has given a solid decade to the university and turned down more lucrative offers out of loyalty. It's kinda sad.

I knew it when he threw that interception against Tulsa. Never liked the guy.

 

[irishff1014]

If you have 247 sports go read the new Rees article. It’s exactly what I thought and other are wrong.

 

[ulukinatme]

If you have 247 sports go read the new Rees article. It’s exactly what I thought and other are wrong.

Can you paraphrase for those of us that aren't so lucky?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Can you paraphrase for those of us that aren't so lucky?

Direct quote from Rees: "irishff1014 is right, and others are wrong."

 

[ulukinatme]

Loy says Rees can't land Moore.

 

[Irish#1]

not much has changed. I still get to call the plays I want to call. It’s just there might be less of a voice on the other end of the headset.”

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Can you paraphrase for those of us that aren't so lucky?

It was a freebie:

Tommy Rees: There Were Never Any Shackles

Third-year Irish offensive coordinator provides real story behind football relationship with Brian Kelly.

247sports.com

 

[ulukinatme]

It was a freebie:

Tommy Rees: There Were Never Any Shackles

Third-year Irish offensive coordinator provides real story behind football relationship with Brian Kelly.

247sports.com

Weird, maybe it was my pop up blocker that was keeping me out.

So what were you right about @irishff1014? Rees was more or less unshackled, but still had Kelly in his ear? Hard to tell by the vagueness. I've always felt like Tommy mostly had control of the offense, but there were times that Kelly either interjected or steered us in a certain direction. If you look at some of the things we did against Clemson in the '20 regular season, Iowa State, USC last year, North Carolina, etc it felt different from past games under Kelly. For instance, if Chip Long was still in charge in '20 I don't think we win that Clemson game.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Weird, maybe it was my pop up blocker that was keeping me out.

So what were you right about @irishff1014? Rees was more or less unshackled, but still had Kelly in his ear? Hard to tell by the vagueness. I've always felt like Tommy mostly had control of the offense, but there were times that Kelly either interjected or steered us in a certain direction. If you look at some of the things we did against Clemson in the '20 regular season, Iowa State, USC last year, North Carolina, etc it felt different from past games under Kelly. For instance, if Chip Long was still in charge in '20 I don't think we win that Clemson game.

I largely agree. I don't think Tommy is going to burn bridges with the guy who he not only played for at ND, but who gave him a huge opporutnity as a young coach in his mid-20s, not only as QB coach but eventually OC.

Have no doubt that BK was heavily involved in the blueprint of the offense obviously and the week to week game plan, and like Tommy said, he may have his hand on the trigger calling plays, but certainly BK was in his ear saying "we should be thinking about A,B,C here."

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Tommy probably had a ton of freedom to call plays as he saw fit with BK keeping tabs and suggesting things from time to time. Bk is gone now, so, inevitably, things should look and feel slightly different this fall.

 

[irishff1014]

Weird, maybe it was my pop up blocker that was keeping me out.

So what were you right about @irishff1014? Rees was more or less unshackled, but still had Kelly in his ear? Hard to tell by the vagueness. I've always felt like Tommy mostly had control of the offense, but there were times that Kelly either interjected or steered us in a certain direction. If you look at some of the things we did against Clemson in the '20 regular season, Iowa State, USC last year, North Carolina, etc it felt different from past games under Kelly. For instance, if Chip Long was still in charge in '20 I don't think we win that Clemson game.

A good amount of people always claimed that the reason the offense wasn't as successful was that Rees didn't have full control. He is know saying that. So again the issues with the offense were in fact his fault.