Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[Whiskeyjack]

Really surprised Rees doesn't want his QB's to do this more. Or surprised he hadn't, even with 3 year vet Ian Book. That was Rees's biggest advantage as a QB. His ability to read/diagnose pre-snap.

This is from Kelly's presser yesterday.

Everything Brian Kelly Said Monday Ahead of Notre Dame-UNC (247sports.com)

Um, what? Counting defenders in the box and audibling into a run to take advantage of favorable numbers is one of the first and most basic reads that a QB is taught to do. I had assumed every college program was doing that on a regular basis. Is it really possible that we, with our OL this struggles this year, weren't giving Coan the option to throw instead when our opponents stacked the box?

 

[Dale]

Um, what? Counting defenders in the box and audibling into a run to take advantage of favorable numbers is one of the first and most basic reads that a QB is taught to do. I had assumed every college program was doing that on a regular basis. Is it really possible that we, with our OL this struggles this year, weren't giving Coan the option to throw instead when our opponents stacked the box?

Most of that is on the QB but some is also on the OL I’d guess, and I believe Alt’s communication was praised so some continuity on the OL could be a factor

 

[TP81989]

Can you describe some of what we are not running others are?

Regardless of what they're running compared to the elite programs the results and execution aren't there.

That's all that matters.

There really isn't anything offensively week to week that you can say ND does well consistently.

 

[Luckylucci]

Um, what? Counting defenders in the box and audibling into a run to take advantage of favorable numbers is one of the first and most basic reads that a QB is taught to do. I had assumed every college program was doing that on a regular basis. Is it really possible that we, with our OL this struggles this year, weren't giving Coan the option to throw instead when our opponents stacked the box?

Yes, but I thought it was common knowledge that Book hadn't been doing that last year either. Long ran a lot of RPO's with him in 2018 but to my knowledge that came down a lot in 2019 and very little in 2020 with Rees. For as seasoned as Book was, I always found it odd that they didn't give him more control over the offense. With that said, I think Kelly (like a lot of us) realized that besides Rees other QB's didn't have a lot of success with it early in his tenure.

Also, while Jamie U is a much smarter man than I, I don't know if some of those plays are really RPO's or pre-snap decisions based on the box and coverage. There is also a little bit of a difference between RPO's and calling audibles based on numbers in the box. When Kelly was calling plays for Rees. He would send in a run with a pass option or vice versa. Based on the box, Tommy was responsible for getting them in the right play. An RPO is just one play call where the QB has an option defender that they need to read.

Because, in that play to Austin, who's the option defender that Coan is reading? It looks to me like he's noticing that there is 8 in the box with a S creeping down and favorable space/off coverage outside for Austin. So he chucks it out to him. That's more of the former than the latter, IMO. The Styles play looks like a real RPO as he watching 35 get sucked inside so he throws it out to him.

 

[Dale]

Jamie was probably focusing on how the OL came out

 

[ulukinatme]

I see this a lot, so I'm not targeting you, BUT...

TR the OC and TR the QB coach should be considered two separate entities. I feel like he's coming along as an OC -- learning on the job unfortunately, but learning nonetheless. There is promise IMO. As for QB recruiter/developer? Well, that remains to be seen and (SO FAR) has left a lot to be desired. I think Buchner's development and who Tommy can recruit to go with Angelli in '22 and/or the '23 class will go a long way in determining that...

I think you're right on the OC, but I like a lot of what I've seen so far. There is certainly room to grow, but we were an easy dropped pass in the 1st half and a victory formation at USC's doorstep from having a 45-16 score against our rival. We found something that worked and the offense was running about as good as it has all year.

I think his QB work as actually been pretty good given the circumstances. The jury is still out till we see how Buckner progresses as he'll be the most talented QB to stick around if all goes well, but arguably Tommy has gotten a lot of production out of less talent in his time as QBC. Book played above his 3 star booking, and I think it can be said that all 3 of Coan/Pyne/Buckner have been ready to play this year when their number was called. I'm confidant that any of the three can win a game right now if the OL has worked out their kinks. I can still remember Michigan in 2010 when Crist got banged up and we trotted out Nate Montana and an inexperienced/unready Tommy...neither could run the offense at that point. You can't say that about our current crop of QBs.

 

[NDohio]

I think you're right on the OC, but I like a lot of what I've seen so far. There is certainly room to grow, but we were an easy dropped pass in the 1st half and a victory formation at USC's doorstep from having a 45-16 score against our rival. We found something that worked and the offense was running about as good as it has all year.

I think his QB work as actually been pretty good given the circumstances. The jury is still out till we see how Buckner progresses as he'll be the most talented QB to stick around if all goes well, but arguably Tommy has gotten a lot of production out of less talent in his time as QBC. Book played above his 3 star booking, and I think it can be said that all 3 of Coan/Pyne/Buckner have been ready to play this year when their number was called. I'm confidant that any of the three can win a game right now if the OL has worked out their kinks. I can still remember Michigan in 2010 when Crist got banged up and we trotted out Nate Montana and an inexperienced/unready Tommy...neither could run the offense at that point. You can't say that about our current crop of QBs.

Yeah, I think Tommy the player development guy is pretty darn good. It looks like he has also learned a few thing regarding how he recruits QBs. He has done a nice job of being the lead recruiter on some other positions players but QB hasn't been great. Let's hope the path he is on for '23 becomes the norm and he gets some early offers out there to high level guys.

 

[BauerOutage]

Just want to say Tommy deserves a lot of credit for a phenomenal game. Scored on 8/10 drives. Guess he should be fired (italics)

 

[ulukinatme]

Just want to say Tommy deserves a lot of credit for a phenomenal game. Scored on 8/10 drives. Guess he should be fired (italics)

He was one of Herbstreit's top coaches last week too.

 

[rtrn2glory]

He's improving but still struggles with consistency. Last year I knew we were going to score TD's inside the ten. Now it's a crap shoot. Needs to be better down there and the red zone. Way too many settles for field goals this year

 

[tko]

When we kicked a fg for 41 points, I wish Tommy could’ve run 2-3 QB powers with Buchner. No way in hell he gets stopped. We could’ve put the game away right there.

 

[arrowryan]

When we kicked a fg for 41 points, I wish Tommy could’ve run 2-3 QB powers with Buchner. No way in hell he gets stopped. We could’ve put the game away right there.

Agreed. But the FG was the smart decision.

 

[Irish#1]

There was a series of three straight runs (2nd series) that looked forced and the sweep to the near side had me scratching my head, but overall a great game by TR.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Getting better each week.

 

[Dale]

He's improving but still struggles with consistency. Last year I knew we were going to score TD's inside the ten. Now it's a crap shoot. Needs to be better down there and the red zone. Way too many settles for field goals this year

Does Tommy’s play calling struggle with consistency in the RZ or does the still work in progress OL compared to a dominant force in last years OL?

 

[FWIrish4]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/pff_anthony/status/1454840598209384455?s=21[/TWEET]

 

[Sea Turtle]

Im pretty happy with Rees. He's getting better and better.

 

[irishff1014]

There was a series of three straight runs (2nd series) that looked forced and the sweep to the near side had me scratching my head, but overall a great game by TR.

He was better but not great by any means.

 

[Irishize]

Does Tommy’s play calling struggle with consistency in the RZ or does the still work in progress OL compared to a dominant force in last years OL?

Good question. Why no throws to Mayer in the RZ? Seems like a no-brainer.

 

[BeauBenken]

He was better but not great by any means.

What kind of performance would the offense need to have to be considered great by you?

 

[NDdomer2]

some BK quotes post game on the offense:

Offensively did some really good things tonight. Good balance running the football and throwing it.

The performance was as good as we’ve had offensively in terms of run pass. We opened up some things by getting the ball out on the perimeter. They were loading the box. And that really helped. Those were an extension of our run game, and it really helped open things up for us and give us the balance. I think the two quarterback situation worked out well again for us.

I felt with — if you have six drives of 75 yards, I don’t know that they got us as much as we went to something else when they wanted to take it away. We had more answers than they had tonight in that respect. We had not had those answers before. Spreading the formations, getting the ball out on the perimeter, you know, throwing the ball in the seams and then allowing that to set up runs were some of the answers that Tommy was finding while they were trying to take something away.

Q. Brian, in terms of the playbook, is this the most expansive that it has been? It looks as if Tommy Rees has a whole bunch that he can call from?
BRIAN KELLY: He does. He does have a lot of answers going for him right now. I mean, we got over the top on a flat foot safety. We didn’t make the catch. I can give you a lot of different examples of whether it’s quarter coverage, man coverage, one-on-one situations, you load the box, the ball’s going out on the perimeter. We have a lot of answers for us right now that are being executed. But we’re doing it with two quarterbacks too because we need — Buchner made some really good plays. The third down play where he holds the ball and flips it over the top to get it to Mayer. He’s making some really good plays too. So the combination of the two quarterbacks really makes that an expansive playbook.

BK sounds really pleased with the offense. This was 2nd game week (3rd week with bye) that they have went to the uptempo pass game with Coan, something that Kelly said "he’s never played in this type of offense". I fully expect the offense to continue to play better and better (especially considering the defenses left). I am sure we spent time on Red Zone throughout camp but I think we have spent so much time getting Coan up to speed, finding what he does well that we haven't got to spend as much time in the situation nuances, i.e. Red Zone, that those are the next building blocks.

BK and Rees have made one huge adjustment now its dialing it in situationally and to opponent.

 

[Luckylucci]

What kind of performance would the offense need to have to be considered great by you?

I can only speak for myself but I don't think Saturday should be categorized as a great performance. I mean, I felt great about it, in the moment, as in I was very happy for all involved as they're improving and I love to see the growth. But, in the grand scheme of things, UNC is a trash defense. They're not even a top 70 unit per FEI. So, this should be expected and the norm.

I mentioned this before but the reality is, we're just elevating back to a place we should've always been at. When we do this to a top 25 defense, then it's a great performance.

I think Tommy and also Quinn are showing something in getting this turned around. But, it should've never been as bad as it was.

 

[irishff1014]

What kind of performance would the offense need to have to be considered great by you?

Great performance would have put the nail I. The coffin when they had the opportunity too. The season is long and some of these players have played way more than the ever have at this level. We run outside on a 3 and goal from the 2. Thats dumb. You run that ball right back up the middle again. And if it wasn’t for the pure effort of KW you are talking about a much different game. The play was dead to rights and he pulled out his Superman cape and did his thing. Good not great.

 

[ulukinatme]

We scored on 8 of 10 drives with only 3 being field goals. That's pretty good, even against a trash defense. The two punts both came on drives where penalties cost us yards.

The offense did more than their share, they didn't need to put a nail in the coffin. The defense just sucked.

 

[Dale]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/jamieuyeyama/status/1455607691565490181?s=21[/TWEET]

 

[POTUS2017]

Anyone have an idea where to find the awesome beanie he was wearing? I’ve found something similar on und.com, but it has the poof on top and is multicolored.

 

[NDisme]

Anyone have an idea where to find the awesome beanie he was wearing? I’ve found something similar on und.com, but it has the poof on top and is multicolored.

That just sounds like a completely different hat haha

 

[Rogue219]

We scored on 8 of 10 drives with only 3 being field goals. That's pretty good, even against a trash defense. The two punts both came on drives where penalties cost us yards.

The offense did more than their share, they didn't need to put a nail in the coffin. The defense just sucked.

They had about half a dozen missed tackles that would've resulted in sacks. What a difference that would have made.

I doubt they have that issue vs Navy.

Rees and Quinn seem to be getting the players to make improvements. If they go 11-1 and get a halfway fair opponent in a bowl, that will be a telling tale for me going into the offseason.

 

[tko]

I just hope we do not switch back to a slow it down game and take away what's been working on offense.

 

[BeatSC]

watching the replay on PeaCOCK and Coan just stinks. Good thing our D was on this week. Most of our points are due to Kyren turning nothing into something. Coan made a handful of good throws but he just doesn’t have it. With Buchner in there Kyren can actually gain a few yards prior to being hit since TB is a legit run threat where Coan is a sack drive killing threat. Getting so tired of that guy trotting out on the field.