Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[Irish8248]

We scored enough to win that game comfortably. Sure, it would have helped to have a couple long clock-eating drives in the 2nd half so our defense could rest. But Kyren chose to sit out the game, and we didn't have the OL to control the LOS.

It's just too easy to blame the offensive play caller. You can't look at that game in totality and claim that Rees was even within the top-10 reasons why we lost.

Sure personnel play is part of the problem and when you have obvious players struggling, especially your QB, it can expose more faults than what is in reality, but the thing i keep going back to is the entire game vs tOSU seemed weak. The decision to run Estime on a sweep instead of Tyree, seemed like Tommy didn't call anything to counter a pass rush, we again come out of the half looking like we made 0 adjustments, and then that drive in the 3rd quarter where we run a draw on 3rd and 18 or whatever. You want some creativity, more aggressive play calls in key spots. It's all hindsight and MMQB but it felt weak, looked weak, and was uninspiring.

 

[NDRock]

There will be growing pains this year. Too many youth having to start, all from Tommy's first and probably second classes once we see Merriweather. I expect Harry will clean up the miscommunication issues on the OL, but until Patterson is healthy and/or Lugg/Correll are either replaced or step up we'll see some physicality issues in the interior. Lesser teams shouldn't give us too many problems. This was always going to be a rebuilding year. '23 or '24 we should have the talent and depth to be firing on all cylinders. Until then, if we can manage another 10+ win season it would be impressive given the holes on offense and youth.

One of these days the “we’re going to be loaded in 2 years” is going to happen. Hopefully I’ll still be alive to see it.

 

[Irish#1]

If Jack liked him so much, why not hire him as HC then?

It all sounds ass backwards to me.

That's awful young to be the HC at ND when you haven't had much experience. MF wasn't a head coach, but he's older with a family, life experiences and been around several programs, so he's seen how a number of programs operate.

 

[Irish#1]

So does @arahop and everyone else that seems to think it’s mainly a Rees play calling issue, am I correct to assume you think we win with the exact same players and just different play calls?

Those that want Rees gone will never be happy until he's gone. Rees did what he was supposed to do for most of the game. I do agree he should have opened it up in the fourth to see if he could get something going. Maybe screen plays weren't getting executed with enough precision in practice for Tommy to feel comfortable calling them in a game? There's a lot of variables we aren't privy to know for sure.

 

[Irishdrunk]

It might make sense for Mario Cristobal to hire Rees - much like Kelly did. Both Kelly and Cristobal are from the Offensive Side of the Ball. Most elite HC are from the Offensive Side of the Ball. Saban who was from the defensive side of the ball now admits its putting up numbers in CFB that now matters. An Offensive side of the ball HC can easily work with a kid like Tommy.

The really, really moronic thing about ND hiring Freeman - who is young and from the defensive side of the ball and zero offensive side of the ball management experience and marrying him with his already-picked OC in Rees who doesn't have vast amounts of experience. It showed a true blind-spot by Jack and Company.

The OSU game was winnable with a more experienced OC. Rees should have called at least 5 screens or more, a few jetsweeps and had Tyree in the slot. He basically handcuffed his QB. If you can't trust Buchner to do screens, then that is your fault as OC. This loss is on Tommy for sure. I think many analysts including ones I have issues with feel that way. Driskell showed play after play where the scheming and lockdown on Buchner was just atrocious. I will give Driskell credit - his post game breakdown was pretty on point.

Lastly, no analyst really had this year as a "Rebuilding Year." That is flat wrong as our Pre-season #5 ranking indicates. The largest issue is the Coaching Staff.

Listen - maybe this is the catalyst that gets us 10 wins this year. But my concern is this lack of experience by the OC and handcuffing the offense will result in more losses to come. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

That's awful young to be the HC at ND when you haven't had much experience. MF wasn't a head coach, but he's older with a family, life experiences and been around several programs, so he's seen how a number of programs operate.

Rees is 30. Same age Sean McVay was when hired by the Rams.

Exception rather than the rule, but there are exceptions.

Again, just trying to understand what everyone else seems to think about Rees. He's the lightning rod for a lot of perceived issues with the program.

For my money, the short handed pieces of the roster fall on the previous HC. Full stop.

 

[IrishLion]

There's a good argument that there is plenty of evidence out there that Rees' gameplans and adjustments are lacking...

But this year is also different for him, so calling for his job, or calling the lack of getting a veteran OC to pair with Freeman a failure, feels a bit early.

I know, I know... you don't want HC's or coordinators learning on the job at a place like ND, but I think Tommy is through the learning process. Now he's on the 'finding himself' stage after BK's departure. He's on his own, building gameplans and accounting for adjustments. He's the head honcho on offense, with no voice above his (save Freeman's for in-game situational stuff I'm sure, like 'force it to Mayer here' or 'deep shot right now').

ND needs to find its identity, and that takes a few games for any team, unless you're loaded at QB and WR and KNOW you're going to be airing it out 65% of the time... like the team ND just played. That was a tough spot for Tommy to put ND's full identity on display, if he and Freeman even know what that is yet, because of the situation both at QB and based on the opponent.

There were definitely some head-scratching calls. There was a play that almost looked like a counter-trey, but there wasn't actually a play-side threat, with zero offensive players following the pulling OL. Maybe this was an attempt at a poorly-designed misdirection... or maybe it was a miscommunication from a green QB, or a play that should have been a read but was a hardline 'give no matter what' instead. The lack of screen game to play off of ND's own conservative calls against OSU's aggressive front 7 was also alarming, but they seemed to be supplementing with QB draws as an option for Buchner to check into.

And you could see the merit to some of it! Buchner made an excellent decision to check into a QB draw look against a friendly defensive front, and it even had a motion to clear out the safety. It's a good install from Tommy, and great recognition from a first-time starter at QB against a veteran DC... but Ohio State had double-twist called at exactly the right time to ruin the rush lanes. Your OL can't invite the DL past the pocket if all 4 guys on the line are running stunts. That's just bad luck in a moment of great preparation and setup.

There were also some effective shots taken down field, and Tommy knew when to target OSU's single coverage. Buchner either missed the throws by a step, or the OL wasn't quite in-tune with handing off pass rushers. Both things will clear up with time, and make Tommy look like a genius.

There are some concerns. There are also reasons for hope.

TL;DR
It's too early to panic you dorks.

 

[NDohio]

The idea of Tommy being aggressive Saturday night has to be contrary to what the head coach wanted.

Look at the last series of the first half. We run the ball for no yardage on first down and tOSU calls a timeout. Freeman is agitated - you could see it on his face. Second down Tommy takes a shot down field. Lenzy and TB are not on the same page as Lenzy cuts his route off and TB throws the pass deep. Now Freeman is flat out pissed. He is all over Tommy in the head set. If you re-watch that set of downs, MF is throwing all the words at Tommy. Tommy plays conservative the rest of the game - I would bet at the command of his leader.

 

[Free Manera]

So does @arahop and everyone else that seems to think it’s mainly a Rees play calling issue, am I correct to assume you think we win with the exact same players and just different play calls?

I don't want Rees gone. I just think that he needs to show something before he is anointed the savior of the ND offense. He probably needs to get a lot better at using his personnel in a way that can create points against teams of equal or better talent. I don't know if different calls could have won that game, but the consensus is he needed to try something different to actually win and not just keep it close. Like Sampson said, he called the game as if he had the lead when really he was losing.

Yeah it's nice that McVay and others think highly of him. But they are probably basing that more on discussions with him, coaching clinic type stuff, not film. I'm pretty sure McVay doesn't watch ND film...

Both of these things could be true: 1. Rees's ideas and philosophy are awesome, and 2. his personnel evaluation, utilization of roster strengths, and in-game adjustments are subpar and need to improve. Right now, his management of the offense feels a lot like a microcosm of Brian Kelly's tenure - looks really good against lesser talent, beats the teams it should, but does not show up against top 10 defenses.

 

[du Lac]

The idea of Tommy being aggressive Saturday night has to be contrary to what the head coach wanted.

Look at the last series of the first half. We run the ball for no yardage on first down and tOSU calls a timeout. Freeman is agitated - you could see it on his face. Second down Tommy takes a shot down field. Lenzy and TB are not on the same page as Lenzy cuts his route off and TB throws the pass deep. Now Freeman is flat out pissed. He is all over Tommy in the head set. If you re-watch that set of downs, MF is throwing all the words at Tommy. Tommy plays conservative the rest of the game - I would bet at the command of his leader.

This could be true. I think you have to let TR be the OC without interceding. If you influence his play calling, you have no data to blame on him when the chopping block comes out. Let the guy do his job without restriction. If you lose games as a result that you shouldn't have lost, then you have reason. If Rees was nervous to score points in the second half or play not to lose bc of the head coach, we have a bigger problem than we think. Just my two cents, I don't think Freeman is as controlling of TR's decision making as BK was, but I also have no idea (in fact it appears based on the past two games, that Rees is cautious with the lead). What we can say, is our offense and defense sucked in the bowl game in the second half and as an entire team they played not to lose once we get a lead. This was only evident on the offensive side of the ball against OSU. Playing not to lose is a cultural problem and it needs to be addressed immediately. Offensively we did the same thing we did in the bowl game - got up and then did nothing when we should have been playing like we were battling a team that was going to score at least 2 more touchdowns. The question is, why do we only like to play two quarters aggressively, offensively? You will NEVER beat a good team playing not to lose. The 3rd and 4th quarter should be pour it on mentality bc if you don't the other team will out score you no question.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The recruiting situation, particularly at QB and WR, should never have gotten to this point. Kelly and Del are Gone, Rees remains. Freeman is going to have to get everyone out there beating the streets to upgrade quality and quantity of the roster. They have a very good trio of WR in the 2023 class and have a good one verballed in 2024. Carr becomes the most important recruit in their universe right now. The 2023 QB situation still has time for a surprise, but after the Dante Moore saga it would appear they may have to play the grad transfer market again unless they can flip someone to sign by February.

There was no way Del was going to be kept on this staff, and rightfully so. The fact that Kelly permitted the situation to get where it is was poor recruiting management by a supposed "CEO" type of head coach.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't want Rees gone. I just think that he needs to show something before he is anointed the savior of the ND offense. He probably needs to get a lot better at using his personnel in a way that can create points against teams of equal or better talent. I don't know if different calls could have won that game, but the consensus is he needed to try something different to actually win and not just keep it close. Like Sampson said, he called the game as if he had the lead when really he was losing.

Yeah it's nice that McVay and others think highly of him. But they are probably basing that more on discussions with him, coaching clinic type stuff, not film. I'm pretty sure McVay doesn't watch ND film...

Both of these things could be true: 1. Rees's ideas and philosophy are awesome, and 2. his personnel evaluation, utilization of roster strengths, and in-game adjustments are subpar and need to improve. Right now, his management of the offense feels a lot like a microcosm of Brian Kelly's tenure - looks really good against lesser talent, beats the teams it should, but does not show up against top 10 defenses.

All that guy does is watch film. Of everyone. Everywhere. Read up on him. He's nuts.

They drafted Kyren. So I'm willing to be you McVay has watched ND film. More than most of the people on this board at that.

 

[du Lac]

The recruiting situation, particularly at QB and WR, should never have gotten to this point. Kelly and Del are Gone, Rees remains. Freeman is going to have to get everyone out there beating the streets to upgrade quality and quantity of the roster. They have a very good trio of WR in the 2023 class and have a good one verballed in 2024. Carr becomes the most important recruit in their universe right now. The 2023 QB situation still has time for a surprise, but after the Dante Moore saga it would appear they may have to play the grad transfer market again unless they can flip someone to sign by February.

There was no way Del was going to be kept on this staff, and rightfully so. The fact that Kelly permitted the situation to get where it is was poor recruiting management by a supposed "CEO" type of head coach.

I think they are ride or die with Buchner. No grad transfer is coming to play backup. Carr reclassifying is incredibly important unless they can flip Minchey, imo.

 

[Dale]

That was to make my point that we are lacking WR depth right now, is that even arguable Dale? Show me where our offense has been explosive or a top 20 offense with data. Show me where our passing offense has been elite. It's not hyperbole it's stat driven.

By data I pulled end of last year, we were 21st in P5 in Pass Explosiveness during the regular season according to CFBData.

We were 20th in Success Rate (again P5, CFBData, regular season).

The only other P5 teams that ranked above us in both were Wake Forest, Georgia and Alabama.

ND was actually extremely explosive when we got passes off last year. The main problem was getting them off. We were outside the Top 110 nationally in Havoc Allowed.

 

[Dale]

Some other stats from last year, Coan was 8th in the nation in Big Time Throw Rate when he was kept clean, trailing only Bryce Young, Brennan Armstrong and Devin Leary in P5. 17th in ADOT, 7th among P5 QBs.

All these stats together to say when ND kept Coan clean last year, we were both effective and attempted to be explosive in nature.

 

[SoIll]

Its all pretty simple. Tommy didn't call a great call. That said.. the Oline was fucked.

They keep Buchner clean, I think things will change. We will see. I vented pretty hard right after the game about Tyler. After rewatching, you can tell the young man wasn't scared. He will get better. Is he the truth? We'll see.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Its all pretty simple. Tommy didn't call a great call. That said.. the Oline was fucked.

They keep Buchner clean, I think things will change. We will see. I vented pretty hard right after the game about Tyler. After rewatching, you can tell the young man wasn't scared. He will get better. Is he the truth? We'll see.

That kid can rip it, quick arm. Figure out the OL and he will be A-OK.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

All that guy does is watch film. Of everyone. Everywhere. Read up on him. He's nuts.

They drafted Kyren. So I'm willing to be you McVay has watched ND film. More than most of the people on this board at that.

Rees is a gym rat. He knows he may not be the most gifted naturally, but he will make up for that by outworking his opponent whether poring through film or coaching up his QB.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I wanna see 40+ points on Saturday. I am currently neutral on TR, I know last week was not an ideal situation but this week is different.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm an ardent Rees supporter. I'm looking for this offense to open up quite a bit. They were walking a tight rope against tOSU, I think they can take chances and have more fun with the play calling against Marshall. I expect Buchner to throw for 250+ and our ground game should churn out yards.

 

[RDU Irish]

I wanna see 40+ points on Saturday. I am currently neutral on TR, I know last week was not an ideal situation but this week is different.

I don't want to see us under 35 between now and when Clemson comes to town. 50+ on Marshall is the right way to start Freeman's home record.

 

[Irish#1]

It's hard to run screens when your O-line is letting guys get easy penetration. Tommy will be fine as will the offense. I want 60!

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Rams sign coach Sean McVay, GM Les Snead to contract extensions through 2026 season​

There you go. Rees could be gone soon enough.

 

[ColinKSU]

Rams sign coach Sean McVay, GM Les Snead to contract extensions through 2026 season​

There you go. Rees could be gone soon enough.

LETS GOOOOO

 

[ulukinatme]

Some of you may get your wish and we could end up with another Long or worse Long, along with Del and Quinn, is part of the reason we're starting so many young Sophomores.

 

[ulukinatme]

One of these days the “we’re going to be loaded in 2 years” is going to happen. Hopefully I’ll still be alive to see it.

Pundits say a lot of things, but I can't remember when we've really been stacked in recent years. There have always been some holes. We're seeing a big shift in recruiting, and position coaches are being held accountable maybe even more so than when BK was on the hotseat in 2016. We've seen the talent in this Sophomore class as several got starts as Freshmen last year. The recruiting is picking up, which will fill the holes in time. The future is bright.

 

[MacIrish75]

idk that the Rams really need Rees—they’re already able to score 10 pts in a prime time game against one of the top teams in the league.

 

[Irishben10]

Missing bullet point: Lugg wins enough 1-1, Correll provides useful support to Kristofic.

If Lugg gets pushed back faster than he did, is it a bad play call?

Lugg must be hearing balls wizzing past his head at least 2-3 of Buchners shots Lugg is getting driven back right into Tyler throwing lane, He’s a bit weak to be starting for Notre Dame & can barely run/pass block

 

[NDRock]

Pundits say a lot of things, but I can't remember when we've really been stacked in recent years. There have always been some holes. We're seeing a big shift in recruiting, and position coaches are being held accountable maybe even more so than when BK was on the hotseat in 2016. We've seen the talent in this Sophomore class as several got starts as Freshmen last year. The recruiting is picking up, which will fill the holes in time. The future is bright.

Not pundits, fans. I remember the “wait until the ‘20 season when PJ will be throwing TDs to Austin, Lenzy, and Keys”. There’s been plenty of those dreams the other years. Unfortunately, the more likely scenario seems to be the Buchner will flame out and most of the WRs won’t pan out and we move on to Carr and the excitement of the ‘26 season. The hope keeps me coming back.

 

[Irishben10]

I'm an ardent Rees supporter. I'm looking for this offense to open up quite a bit. They were walking a tight rope against tOSU, I think they can take chances and have more fun with the play calling against Marshall. I expect Buchner to throw for 250+ and our ground game should churn out yards.

I just hope they get away from this whole don’t turn it over crap, you basically telling your QB to play safe, don’t take shots, make TB think twice before throwing the ball, you will always lose the big games if your not willing to attempt the hard plays, which is exactly what happened at OSU.

We can’t play conservatively like we did against Clemson or USC or we may as well throw up the white flag.

Let TB and the Offense go out there the next couple weeks and gel, go crazy throw a couple crossing patterns in to the mix 😂