Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[GATTACA!]

How about Herman? Similar reasons as Mullen.

 

[Dale]

Mullan would not pass the background check lol

Why is that?

 

[du Lac]

I think you have to be desperate. Jack should open the bank account to make someone the highest paid OC. The program is sinking. Inflated pay for an out of this world OC could be a better investment than losing more games and sinking the program further, needing to fire the head coach and pay off contracts.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Haven't read through all of the banter but I'm not sure where my stance on Tommy is at the moment. Right or wrong, I do think Buchner's injury is a get out of jail free card for Tommy though.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

How about Herman? Similar reasons as Mullen.

Tom Herman isn't coaching right now. He's on TV with CBS Sports Network. He'd come with baggage, too.

As for Dan Mullen, he's the oppo of Hartline. Can probably call plays but not much into the recruiting aspect of the job. Hard pass. Also baggage.

 

[GATTACA!]

Tom Herman isn't coaching right now. He's on TV with CBS Sports Network. He'd come with baggage, too.

As for Dan Mullen, he's the oppo of Hartline. Can probably call plays but not much into the recruiting aspect of the job. Hard pass. Also baggage.

I thought I read that Herman was an analyst somewhere. Bears maybe? Either way they’re both available and huge upgrades over Rees.

 

[du Lac]

I'd shoot for Freeman's potential replacement at OC.

 

[Dale]

Mullan would not pass the background check lol

Also baggage.

Am I missing something on Mullen? Kinda an ass but I’m not aware of any insurmountable hurdle on his resume?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I thought I read that Herman was an analyst somewhere. Bears maybe? Either way they’re both available and huge upgrades over Rees.

He was an analyst for the Bears last year. The new staff didn't retain him. He's on TV now. His resume looks a lot like Scott Frost. Two years at a G5 school and *poof* he's at a blue blood program making millions. It didn't work out.

This is the first time since 1998 he's not on a coaching staff in some way. I have to think there is a reason for that.

Upgrades in what way? Name recognition? Former head coaches that crashed out of big P5 programs?

 

[Dale]

Dan “did not like recruiting” Mullen’s 2020 and 2021 class ranked 9th and 12th and had multiple blue chip recruits in each class. He’s not a Freeman, but it’s not like he’s allergic to it. He just wasn’t Kirby Smart and said something dumb during a presser.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Am I missing something on Mullen? Kinda an ass but I’m not aware of any insurmountable hurdle on his resume?

He's not kind of an ass, he is an ass.

It is my understanding that he has a son from a previous relationship while he was an assistant at ND in the 90s. I don't know if that would set the ND administration off, and I don't think it should cancel him from consideration (which it hasn't in the SEC), but he's the kind of person I'd rather not have on a staff with a young first time head coach like Freeman.

Same goes for Herman. Too many whispers about both that lead me to believe there is something to them.

 

[T-Boone]

I'd shoot for Freeman's potential replacement at OC.

Jon Gruden

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Dan “did not like recruiting” Mullen’s 2020 and 2021 class ranked 9th and 12th and had multiple blue chip recruits in each class. He’s not a Freeman, but it’s not like he’s allergic to it. He just wasn’t Kirby Smart and said something dumb during a presser.

He was also last seen mismanaging the QB Room in Gainesville last year something awful. I'm sure that's exactly a resume bullet point this ND fan base is absolutely DYING for right now.

Mullen had been known to flirt with the NFL ala Brian Kelly, too. He didn't do much to combat those rumors either. That lead to some recruiting issues, but that was just the tip of the iceberg with recruiting.

Rankings aside, there were issues at the end after things started off well with his tenure. So you're going to buy low on a guy that didn't work the QB Room well and saw downticks in recruiting cycles to fill the spot of Rees, whose QB development and recruiting are the reason this thread has dovetailed into the discussion we're having at this moment.

Pass on Mullen. Hard.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Give BVG Jack Coan and he’d look brilliant too. The pride of Sayville made Tommy a rich man.

 

[GATTACA!]

Upgrades in what way? Name recognition? Former head coaches that crashed out of big P5 programs?

He lead an elite offense that won a championship.

How is that not more impressive than anything Rees has accomplished?

 

[TorontoGold]

Jon Gruden

Pair him Art Briles and Bobby Petrino.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

He lead an elite offense that won a championship.

How is that not more impressive than anything Rees has accomplished?

It was 8 years ago and he's currently not coaching football.

Examine the recent DC hires under Kelly: Elko, Lea, Freeman. All young guys on the up. Innovative. Smart. Good recruiters. Freeman hiring Golden makes sense at DC. His OC needs to be a young, smart guy on the up who will recruit under the circumstances of the ND flag.

 

[Luckylucci]

Tommy and Golden are meeting with the media tonight after practice. Tommy's seems like must watch.

 

[arahop]

Agree that I’ve liked a lot of his play calling so far from a very high level scheme POV. The team hasn’t executed plus I don’t think he’s catered it correctly to Buchner’s strengths. Think a guy like CJ Carr would light it up in this scheme assuming a decent OL.

I don't know. Our QBs down pan out when they are high rated guys. I'm not keeping Tommy just to secure CJ Carr.

 

[du Lac]

Give BVG Jack Coan and he’d look brilliant too. The pride of Sayville made Tommy a rich man.

Serious question. If BVG was our HC, would we have beaten Marshall?

 

[GATTACA!]

It was 8 years ago and he's currently not coaching football.

Examine the recent DC hires under Kelly: Elko, Lea, Freeman. All young guys on the up. Innovative. Smart. Good recruiters. Freeman hiring Golden makes sense at DC. His OC needs to be a young, smart guy on the up who will recruit under the circumstances of the ND flag.

That sounds like a great idea until you realize it leaves one whole side of the ball with no real experience. Tommy is clearly not ready to be the OC at a top 10 program unassisted. He was shaky even with Kelly around to guide him. Bringing in another unproven young guy is asking for more of the same problems.

 

[notredomer23]

Serious question. If BVG was our HC, would we have beaten Marshall?

If the moon was made of barbecue spareribs, would you eat it?

 

[irishfan]

Unsure if it’s been said, but I think Rees badly badly misses older coaches with play-calling history (Kelly/McNulty). Even Polian as a former HC was potentially a great resource. The staff all around as constructed seems very non-versatile on both sides of the ball but especially on offense.

McCullough—RB coach entire career
Stuckey—very green but only WR coach in his career
Hiestand—obviously only OL
Parker—some versatility here as WR/TE coach. Was OC for one year but do not believe he called the plays and was demoted after one year which is why he is now a TE coach again.

I don’t think these are the optimal guys for a very young OC to be bouncing ideas off of and game planning with personally.

Edit: don’t want this to seem like I’m making excuses for Rees. He’s been crappy this year and IMO seems over his head. I just think the staff around him was not put together well given Rees’ experience.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

That sounds like a great idea until you realize it leaves one whole side of the ball with no real experience. Tommy is clearly not ready to be the OC at a top 10 program unassisted. He was shaky even with Kelly around to guide him. Bringing in another unproven young guy is asking for more of the same problems.

You said unproven. I did not.

I said Young, smart, innovative. On the up and up. Elko and Freeman were DC prior to coming to ND. That's what we should be looking for on offense, as fans. Lea was the gamble and it worked out. I don't know I'd go that route offensively, but if they did, that's basically hiring Hartline. Known recruiter who has yet to be an OC.

This needs to be someone who has already called plays, can coach QB and wants to recruit. A younger guy isn't a must but makes sense.

Simple.

 

[Dale]

He's not kind of an ass, he is an ass.

It is my understanding that he has a son from a previous relationship while he was an assistant at ND in the 90s. I don't know if that would set the ND administration off, and I don't think it should cancel him from consideration (which it hasn't in the SEC), but he's the kind of person I'd rather not have on a staff with a young first time head coach like Freeman.

Same goes for Herman. Too many whispers about both that lead me to believe there is something to them.

He was also last seen mismanaging the QB Room in Gainesville last year something awful. I'm sure that's exactly a resume bullet point this ND fan base is absolutely DYING for right now.

Mullen had been known to flirt with the NFL ala Brian Kelly, too. He didn't do much to combat those rumors either. That lead to some recruiting issues, but that was just the tip of the iceberg with recruiting.

Rankings aside, there were issues at the end after things started off well with his tenure. So you're going to buy low on a guy that didn't work the QB Room well and saw downticks in recruiting cycles to fill the spot of Rees, whose QB development and recruiting are the reason this thread has dovetailed into the discussion we're having at this moment.

Pass on Mullen. Hard.

I was unaware of the son thing but sounds like more details needed to consider that baggage or insurmountable.

Much of Mullen’s recruiting issues it’d have much greater concern as a HC who is in charge of the ship. Theoretically, which this is all it is, I have no issue with his recruiting as a coordinator under Freeman/with Bowden and company.

I think you’re being a bit disingenuous due to not liking him when describing Mullen’s QB development. His overall track record is very good dating back to as recent as two years ago. Tossing that all out the window because of his last season is not an accurate picture. I think we could agree with rather strong confidence that a QB recruit would be instantly more excited to be developed by Mullen over many others, including Rees at this stage.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't know. Our QBs down pan out when they are high rated guys. I'm not keeping Tommy just to secure CJ Carr.

That was Kelly's M.O. for sure. He was supposed to be a QB Whisperer coming out of Cincinnati. At best his tenure at ND in that regard was a mixed bag.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I was unaware of the son thing but sounds like more details needed to consider that baggage or insurmountable.

Much of Mullen’s recruiting issues it’d have much greater concern as a HC who is in charge of the ship. Theoretically, which this is all it is, I have no issue with his recruiting as a coordinator under Freeman/with Bowden and company.

I think you’re being a bit disingenuous due to not liking him when describing Mullen’s QB development. His overall track record is very good dating back to as recent as two years ago. Tossing that all out the window because of his last season is not an accurate picture. I think we could agree with rather strong confidence that a QB recruit would be instantly more excited to be developed by Mullen over many others, including Rees at this stage.

As far as his love child, that's pure speculation on my part as to someone else in this thread referencing him not passing a background check. That's the only thing I can think of as it relates to why someone here would think the administration would take a pass on him. I don't know of any issues he's had that would result him the admin taking a pass on him.

He was making over $7M a year at Florida. Expecting him to come in at a place like ND and be OC under a coach like Marcus Freeman could theoretically bring all kinds of problems. Al Golden spent 6 years in the NFL after Miami fired him. I'm sure that was more than enough time to be humbled. Dan Mullen, I would assume, wants to be a head coach again and if he's going to be an OC he's going to want to do it in the League.

I don't like Mullen as a fit for ND and I think it's a pipe dream. If that makes me disingenuous, I'll guess I'll live. Frankly, I don't think he'd want the job even if he were offered it based on what I know of him. Further, the reasons I don't consider him a fit are based on his history, past and present, going further back in his career beyond the last two years in Gainesville. That last impression isn't going to help anyone convince me he could jump into a situation like Notre Dame's and succeed where others have failed. Whatever his true interest was in the NFL, the fact is he put out feelers there and didn't deny any of the rumors connecting him to the League. I've seen this board react to assistant coaching turnover. You want to talk about a flight risk?

If we're spit balling names, I get why his comes up. Former head coach, former Lord Florida Lieutenant, currently doing TV so he's available. He's had success in the past at a high level. In the end, not my cup of tea for a variety of reasons. Hopefully that clarifies my position for you.

 

[Blazers46]

Jon Gruden

Here in Las Cruces, NM I was hoping NMSU would go for someone that needed a second chance like Gruden... but got Jerry Kill instead.

 

[Dale]

As far as his love child, that's pure speculation on my part as to someone else in this thread referencing him not passing a background check. That's the only thing I can think of as it relates to why someone here would think the administration would take a pass on him. I don't know of any issues he's had that would result him the admin taking a pass on him.

He was making over $7M a year at Florida. Expecting him to come in at a place like ND and be OC under a coach like Marcus Freeman could theoretically bring all kinds of problems. Al Golden spent 6 years in the NFL after Miami fired him. I'm sure that was more than enough time to be humbled. Dan Mullen, I would assume, wants to be a head coach again and if he's going to be an OC he's going to want to do it in the League.

I don't like Mullen as a fit for ND and I think it's a pipe dream. If that makes me disingenuous, I'll guess I'll live. Frankly, I don't think he'd want the job even if he were offered it based on what I know of him. Further, the reasons I don't consider him a fit are based on his history, past and present, going further back in his career beyond the last two years in Gainesville. That last impression isn't going to help anyone convince me he could jump into a situation like Notre Dame's and succeed where others have failed. Whatever his true interest was in the NFL, the fact is he put out feelers there and didn't deny any of the rumors connecting him to the League. I've seen this board react to assistant coaching turnover. You want to talk about a flight risk?

If we're spit balling names, I get why his comes up. Former head coach, former Lord Florida Lieutenant, currently doing TV so he's available. He's had success in the past at a high level. In the end, not my cup of tea for a variety of reasons. Hopefully that clarifies my position for you.

I agree in that I don’t think it would work at all in the end, I just think if they could and Freeman felt he could work in that role effectively it would be a home run. Mullen himself at his best has a better QB resume than ND as a school in the 21st century.

Mullen was always on my shortlist to replace Kelly eventually with the caveat that he’d have to iron out some of his and BKs shared issues. Clearly that won’t happen but I could certainly see Mullen back on top soon if, which that’s a big IF, he addresses even some of the reasons he failed in the end at Florida. If ND could get a couple years, one QB out of his old QB magic it could alter the trajectory back to where it should be of QBs at Notre Dame.

All a pipe dream anyways but it’d be Team dream of it over not.

 

[ulukinatme]

I doubt we're going to be able to bring anyone good here in next year. They'll take look at the roster and see their career flash before their eyes. In '23 we'll be working with 1 proven WR (Unless Merriweather and/or Colzie step up before the end of the season), no Mayer, questions at QB, questions on the OL, and our three headed monster at RB. Lots of promise with young recruits coming in, but If you were a big time OC you know too many youth will cost you games. Who says yes to those circumstances?