Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[irishff1014]

He's a great QB coach, what are you talking about? He's getting his butt kicked in recruiting, which is a skill set that doesn't matter in the NFL.

Yeah ok. If that’s what you want to tell yourself.

 

[Irish4life]

If he's so great where are Heisman contenders and 1st rounds picks? That's what ''great'' QB coaches produce.

In reality, as ND fans we have no idea what great QB play or coaching looks like because it's been so mediocre since Kelly showed up.

Well, he did develop the all time winningest QB in the history of ND football....

 

[Irish4life]

Yeah ok. If that’s what you want to tell yourself.

Hey if you wanna keep telling yourself that the person coaching the most important position on the football field for a program that went 54-10 over the past 5 years isn't good at his job then whatever floats your boat.

 

[TP81989]

Getting whipped? Holy crap, stop while you're behind.

Rees is a big reason why our OL class went from concerning to arguably the best in the country. Without Rees, we don't land Wagner and we definitely don't land Schrauth.

The harsh reality is that Rees isn't just facing an uphill battle because the predecessors set him up poorly to field an offense that can be appealing to QBs, but he's also facing an uphill battle due to the fact that ND hasn't produced an elite QB prospect since Brady Quinn. And you're wondering why we're losing out to these programs that have produced multiple elite QB's in that timeframe?

On top of that, he's going up against programs who are without question going all-in on the NIL angle, something that ND is notoriously behind on and is unwilling to skirt the rules on. That's going to be a massive disadvantage, especially for high profile prospects at the most important position.

Those aren't excuses, that is reality. And it will remain that way until ND produces that elite QB and that elite offense. We can have this discussion at a later date when Rees has a roster that's pretty much all his guys. Maybe if Buchner busts this year, we can re-examine this question, but as of now, Rees is basically cleaning up the mess of the previous staff.

It's funny how NIL isn't stopping Freeman from getting the guys he wants on defense. Again, just more excuses.

The only way to fix it is to get a proven recruiter and developer of QB's instead of someone who was given a position he was unqualified for because he was one of Kelly's guys.

 

[ND88]

So based on the last page of rants, I take it Rees is just at home chillin’ and not doing jack sh*t to recruit QBs? Can Dale come through with some objectivity? The stress levels are high in here. As an OC, Rees hasn’t always been the absolute best, but I mostly liked what he did in the bowl game. I’d like to see how he does without Kelly before I’m ready to call him sh*t as a coach. It’s a bit dramatic at this point.

 

[irish o'phile]

Tommy Rees is too busy working with Bill Gates to plant nanobots in us all via an experimental vaccine. His focus is on population control and a great reset of the world economy when it should be on recruiting 5 start quarterbacks for Notre Dame. Tommy Rees is the worst.

 

[Crazy Balki]

It's funny how NIL isn't stopping Freeman from getting the guys he wants on defense. Again, just more excuses.

The only way to fix it is to get a proven recruiter and developer of QB's instead of someone who was given a position he was unqualified for because he was one of Kelly's guys.

So we gonna ignore that he salvaged our OL class? Or landing Price, or saving us from losing Merriweather after his head coach flat out lied to his face?

NIL hasn't stopped Freeman from landing guys on defense, because ND has done a great job of producing defensive talent that translated in the NFL. Combine that proven track record with Freeman's recruiting prowess and you have a great avenue to land a lot of defensive talent.

That hasn't been the case at QB for years. If ND was ever able to develop the high level talent they've had at QB under Kelly, then perhaps there'd be a lot more reason for QBs to want to look ND's way.

But ND is not in a good place to attract elite QB talent, because ND hasn't had the talent to field a dominant passing attack. Rees clearly maximized the talent he had with Book and the receiving group of McKinley and Skowronek, but that will only take you so far. Then, because Long was a prick, there is no immediate replacement for Book, because he transferred. Added to the fact that ND has to deal with the lapses in recruiting on the OL and having to replace the entire OL.

You fail to realize that these things matter, and it's things that the prior staff failed on and the current staff is paying for. It's why you can't afford to miss on recruiting, because it threatens to topple your whole enterprise. Tommy didn't hire Quinn or Del. He had no control over Kelly's failure to emphasize recruiting. So it's hard for me to look at Rees, who's consistently working his tail off and landing guys we thought once gone, lose on elite QB's when they're going to schools that have consistently put together offenses that have helped showcase their QB talent and have shown they will play the NIL game.

Saying repeatedly that all this is just "making excuses" is just a lazy argument on your part and shows you are failing to grasp the conundrum that Rees and Freeman are traversing, a conundrum caused by their predecessors that they now have to attempt to fix.

 

[stlnd01]

Agree that QB recruiting - last cycle and so far this cycle - could be better.
But what Rees got out of Ian Book, and more to the point as an OC, what he got out of the collection of misfit toys (plus Mayer and Kyren Williams) he had to work with this season was pretty impressive in my book. Get Buchner to reach his potential and all will be fine.

 

[NorthDakota]

Agree that QB recruiting - last cycle and so far this cycle - could be better.
But what Rees got out of Ian Book, and more to the point as an OC, what he got out of the collection of misfit toys (plus Mayer and Kyren Williams) he had to work with this season was pretty impressive in my book. Get Buchner to reach his potential and all will be fine.

So Buchner's potential? What is it? Like a competent passer and bona fide dual threat?

 

[317Irish]

So Buchner's potential? What is it? Like a competent passer and bona fide dual threat?

I agree with STL and I truly thing TB12 can be a legit duel threat guy for us. The big thing for him will be staying healthy.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

So Buchner's potential? What is it? Like a competent passer and bona fide dual threat?

I think that’s an undersell. He has a long ways to go but he made some genuinely impressive throws this year. His ceiling is a superstar.

https://youtu.be/B2K-OIuxIJI

 

[ulukinatme]

Some of ya'll really need to let go of the Tommy hate. His lack of athleticism doesn't impact his ability to coach this football team, it's not 2013 and he's not under center anymore. It's just silly at this point. He just organized a pretty impressive offensive effort against a very good OSU defense, breaking a Fiesta Bowl record for passing. Our WR depth and lack of consistency was what ended up slowing that passing attack. This was with a beat up OL starting two true freshmen at OT, a freshman at RB and WR. Four starting freshmen! It's a testament to the depth issues due to transfers and recruiting misses in the previous years prior to the 2021 class they brought in. Our WR room in particular has been particularly sketchy the last two years. Despite those limitations we somehow managed to go 11-1 during the regular season this year, 12-0 during the previous regular season (Beating a #1 team in that year which hasn't been done at ND in decades), and in his first job as OC Rees dismantled another very good defensive team in Iowa State.

Some of you need to look at the facts. First off, we let Long go because the writing was on the wall...players didn't like him and they could see things were going to get worse. They had other options at OC and Tommy was the one that was chosen out of more experienced candidates. BK leaves, he willingly offers Rees a huge bump of 400k to come. If he wasn't any good, why would BK hamstring himself with a bad coach? The entire offense that week swore by Rees, and many also threw his name into the hat for HC along with Freeman. His name was listed as one of the three necessary coaches needed to keep the program moving forward along with Freeman and Balis. When you look at all these freshmen that got meaningful playing time this year it's a testament to what they're starting to build. They're bringing in new talent, talent that's beating out upperclassmen. The future is bright offensively. Why would you kill that momentum?

 

[stlnd01]

Some of ya'll really need to let go of the Tommy hate. His lack of athleticism doesn't impact his ability to coach this football team, it's not 2013 and he's not under center anymore. It's just silly at this point. He just organized a pretty impressive offensive effort against a very good OSU defense, breaking a Fiesta Bowl record for passing. Our WR depth and lack of consistency was what ended up slowing that passing attack. This was with a beat up OL starting two true freshmen at OT, a freshman at RB and WR. Four starting freshmen! It's a testament to the depth issues due to transfers and recruiting misses in the previous years prior to the 2021 class they brought in. Our WR room in particular has been particularly sketchy the last two years. Despite those limitations we somehow managed to go 11-1 during the regular season this year, 12-0 during the previous regular season (Beating a #1 team in that year which hasn't been done at ND in decades), and in his first job as OC Rees dismantled another very good defensive team in Iowa State.

Some of you need to look at the facts. First off, we let Long go because the writing was on the wall...players didn't like him and they could see things were going to get worse. They had other options at OC and Tommy was the one that was chosen out of more experienced candidates. BK leaves, he willingly offers Rees a huge bump of 400k to come. If he wasn't any good, why would BK hamstring himself with a bad coach? The entire offense that week swore by Rees, and many also threw his name into the hat for HC along with Freeman. His name was listed as one of the three necessary coaches needed to keep the program moving forward along with Freeman and Balis. When you look at all these freshmen that got meaningful playing time this year it's a testament to what they're starting to build. They're bringing in new talent, talent that's beating out upperclassmen. The future is bright offensively. Why would you kill that momentum?

Because he threw that interception at the end of the Tulsa game in 2010.

 

[stlnd01]

So Buchner's potential? What is it? Like a competent passer and bona fide dual threat?

He’s got a big arm and wheels. His potential is to be Notre Dame’s best QB since Clausen. Though I’d have said the same about several others who never quite got there, so let’s see.

 

[ulukinatme]

Because he threw that interception at the end of the Tulsa game in 2010.

Oof, had to come in when Crist went down and ended up throwing the ball 54 times. We shouldn't have given up 28 points to Tulsa.
I choose to remember 2010 as the season starting in November with Tommy's first start against #15th ranked Utah in an upset, and rattling off 4 straight wins including ending nearly a decade of straight losses to USC and beating Miami in the Sun Bowl. That Utah game was so much fun, all the blue hairs packed it in and gave away their tickets after Tulsa.

 

[stlnd01]

Oof, had to come in when Crist went down and ended up throwing the ball 54 times. We shouldn't have given up 28 points to Tulsa.
I choose to remember 2010 as the season starting in November with Tommy's first start against #15th ranked Utah in an upset, and rattling off 4 straight wins including ending nearly a decade of straight losses to USC and beating Miami in the Sun Bowl. That Utah game was so much fun, all the blue hairs packed it in and gave away their tickets after Tulsa.

That Utah game was the best game. Was so happy for those players. And first sign that things were going to be different.

 

[NDRock]

Some of ya'll really need to let go of the Tommy hate. His lack of athleticism doesn't impact his ability to coach this football team, it's not 2013 and he's not under center anymore. It's just silly at this point. He just organized a pretty impressive offensive effort against a very good OSU defense, breaking a Fiesta Bowl record for passing. Our WR depth and lack of consistency was what ended up slowing that passing attack. This was with a beat up OL starting two true freshmen at OT, a freshman at RB and WR. Four starting freshmen! It's a testament to the depth issues due to transfers and recruiting misses in the previous years prior to the 2021 class they brought in. Our WR room in particular has been particularly sketchy the last two years. Despite those limitations we somehow managed to go 11-1 during the regular season this year, 12-0 during the previous regular season (Beating a #1 team in that year which hasn't been done at ND in decades), and in his first job as OC Rees dismantled another very good defensive team in Iowa State.

Some of you need to look at the facts. First off, we let Long go because the writing was on the wall...players didn't like him and they could see things were going to get worse. They had other options at OC and Tommy was the one that was chosen out of more experienced candidates. BK leaves, he willingly offers Rees a huge bump of 400k to come. If he wasn't any good, why would BK hamstring himself with a bad coach? The entire offense that week swore by Rees, and many also threw his name into the hat for HC along with Freeman. His name was listed as one of the three necessary coaches needed to keep the program moving forward along with Freeman and Balis. When you look at all these freshmen that got meaningful playing time this year it's a testament to what they're starting to build. They're bringing in new talent, talent that's beating out upperclassmen. The future is bright offensively. Why would you kill that momentum?

I think Tommy has done a very good job in his time here. BK did the same. The concern people have is that the only way we make the next step from the BK era is by getting better players and nowhere is that more important than at QB. Without an elite guy we have zero chance of winning in the playoffs. Seemingly, the only guy on the roster with any elite skill is TB and he’s super raw. It’s potentially looking that we may not get an elite kid this cycle as well, hence the hand ringing.

My concern is that Tommy isn’t a big fan of TB12 (which is why we didn’t see him in the bowl game) and we trot out Pyne in Columbus. But, who knows? I’m excited to see where it goes next year.

 

[benneboy]

I think Tommy has done a very good job in his time here. BK did the same. The concern people have is that the only way we make the next step from the BK era is by getting better players and nowhere is that more important than at QB. Without an elite guy we have zero chance of winning in the playoffs. Seemingly, the only guy on the roster with any elite skill is TB and he’s super raw. It’s potentially looking that we may not get an elite kid this cycle as well, hence the hand ringing.

My concern is that Tommy isn’t a big fan of TB12 (which is why we didn’t see him in the bowl game) and we trot out Pyne in Columbus. But, who knows? I’m excited to see where it goes next year.

If that was the case there are a lot of QBs in the portal they could have pursued. They were not all that aggressive in pursuing options there.

 

[irishff1014]

He’s got a big arm and wheels. His potential is to be Notre Dame’s best QB since Clausen. Though I’d have said the same about several others who never quite got there, so let’s see.

And that's what we are told. And i am not bashing you but we keep hearing about how good these players are and then they aren't.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think Tommy has done a very good job in his time here. BK did the same. The concern people have is that the only way we make the next step from the BK era is by getting better players and nowhere is that more important than at QB. Without an elite guy we have zero chance of winning in the playoffs. Seemingly, the only guy on the roster with any elite skill is TB and he’s super raw. It’s potentially looking that we may not get an elite kid this cycle as well, hence the hand ringing.

My concern is that Tommy isn’t a big fan of TB12 (which is why we didn’t see him in the bowl game) and we trot out Pyne in Columbus. But, who knows? I’m excited to see where it goes next year.

I pointed this out in another thread, but it's unrealistic to expect a bunch of 5 stars to come to ND. Saban has had four in his 15 years at Alabama, and that's frickin' Alabama. Two of those were Blake Barnett and Philip Sims too, not exactly living up to the billing. True elite QBs are very few and far between, only a few in each class typically pan out and they're highly coveted among the football factories.

We have talent at the QB position, it's not like we're fielding walk ons and 2-3 stars out there. We've got three 4 star QBs on the roster with one being on the upper end. We have to hope that the scouts are right and they pan out. The only reason Coan had to be brought in this last season was the departure of 5 star Philure. We were left with a lot of underclassmen that hadn't seen the field yet and we needed some proven depth. It worked out pretty good I would say, despite Coan being a pure pocket statue and our OL being a mess the first 6 games. Would I like a 5 star to come in? Sure, absolutely, but 98% of the FBS has to win without them and half of those 5 stars don't pan out anyway as we've seen from Alabama. Chances are probably rare, if any, that we can land a true 5 star. If that keeps us from winning the playoffs, then it keeps us from winning the playoffs. Can't change the way things are, gotta play the hand you're dealt.

I'd be fine if Pyne was the starter in Columbus personally. He looked cool and poised against Wisconsin, and he was starting to lead us back against Cinci until Austin's crucial drop killed a drive. I support whoever ends up being the starter though, hell if Ron Jr. wins the job I could care less. Just put the best guy on the field.

 

[NDRock]

If that was the case there are a lot of QBs in the portal they could have pursued. They were not all that aggressive in pursuing options there.

Totally unfounded speculation on my part. I’m probably wrong.

 

[Free Manera]

Doesn’t have to be a five star. But there is a difference between a top 100 4 star and a top 250 4 star.

Moore, Arnold, and Vizzina are all 4 stars. But they are top 100 and light years ahead of Johnson in both their current abilities and their upside.

The Elston mode of signing projects works great until it doesn’t (when you play actual good teams).

 

[T-Boone]

I pointed this out in another thread, but it's unrealistic to expect a bunch of 5 stars to come to ND. Saban has had four in his 15 years at Alabama, and that's frickin' Alabama.

Stop saying this, Saban only heard about the QB position 5 years ago and he gets who he wants now and has had 4 5 stars in a row including next season.

 

[T-Boone]

I pointed this out in another thread, but it's unrealistic to expect a bunch of 5 stars to come to ND. Saban has had four in his 15 years at Alabama, and that's frickin' Alabama. Two of those were Blake Barnett and Philip Sims too, not exactly living up to the billing. True elite QBs are very few and far between, only a few in each class typically pan out and they're highly coveted among the football factories.

We have talent at the QB position, it's not like we're fielding walk ons and 2-3 stars out there. We've got three 4 star QBs on the roster with one being on the upper end. We have to hope that the scouts are right and they pan out. The only reason Coan had to be brought in this last season was the departure of 5 star Philure. We were left with a lot of underclassmen that hadn't seen the field yet and we needed some proven depth. It worked out pretty good I would say, despite Coan being a pure pocket statue and our OL being a mess the first 6 games. Would I like a 5 star to come in? Sure, absolutely, but 98% of the FBS has to win without them and half of those 5 stars don't pan out anyway as we've seen from Alabama. Chances are probably rare, if any, that we can land a true 5 star. If that keeps us from winning the playoffs, then it keeps us from winning the playoffs. Can't change the way things are, gotta play the hand you're dealt.

I'd be fine if Pyne was the starter in Columbus personally. He looked cool and poised against Wisconsin, and he was starting to lead us back against Cinci until Austin's crucial drop killed a drive. I support whoever ends up being the starter though, hell if Ron Jr. wins the job I could care less. Just put the best guy on the field.

A team that is where ND is (around the top 6 trying to become number 1) has to at least try to address its biggest weakness which in NDs case is inferior QBs to the top 2 or 3.
They have to get the best QB coach/recruiter they can get. There is reason to doubt that is Rees.

 

[ulukinatme]

A team that is where ND is (around the top 6 trying to become number 1) has to at least try to address its biggest weakness which in NDs case is inferior QBs to the top 2 or 3.
They have to get the best QB coach/recruiter they can get. There is reason to doubt that is Rees.

Why? List your reasons. Who has gotten more out of a three star prospect at ND than him? Book was clearly the best QB on the roster despite there being players that were more highly rated. Also, tell me how you're going to convince a prospect like Trevor Lawrence to come to ND over Alabama, Clemson, or Ohio State?

 

[T-Boone]

Why? List your reasons. Who has gotten more out of a three star prospect at ND than him? Book was clearly the best QB on the roster despite there being players that were more highly rated. Also, tell me how you're going to convince a prospect like Trevor Lawrence to come to ND over Alabama, Clemson, or Ohio State?

Okay he is probably a fine coach.
It is his recruiting that he is clearly not good enough at and there are better out there that could at least help him. Get a young QB coach in (with success in the last 3 years) and have Rees as OC/RB coach.

 

[ulukinatme]

Okay he is probably a fine coach.
It is his recruiting that he is clearly not good enough at and there are better out there that could at least help him. Get a young QB coach in (with success in the last 3 years) and have Rees as OC/RB coach.

This isn't Oklahoma though with multiple recent Heismans and first draft picks, this is ND. We haven't had an exceptionally successful QB at the next level since probably Montana, and none of our guys have won any awards since Rick Mirer that I can think of. We're not quite the beacon of talented QBs we once were. Again, when there's only a handful of 5 star QBs in a given class they tend to get bought up pretty quick. The last one we landed was Dayne Crist, and that was under Charlie Weis two coaches ago...and it didn't pan out. I'm sure we'll get lucky and land another someday, but I think you need to be realistic. Given ND's self imposed restrictions, the weather, the competitiveness among the true football factories for talent, the NIL deals we're likely not outperforming, etc...how many big league guys do you think we could realistically get into South Bend? We're talking long shots here. Realistically we're probably bringing in as good or better talent than we should be given circumstances.

 

[TP81989]

Some of ya'll really need to let go of the Tommy hate. His lack of athleticism doesn't impact his ability to coach this football team, it's not 2013 and he's not under center anymore. It's just silly at this point. He just organized a pretty impressive offensive effort against a very good OSU defense, breaking a Fiesta Bowl record for passing. Our WR depth and lack of consistency was what ended up slowing that passing attack. This was with a beat up OL starting two true freshmen at OT, a freshman at RB and WR. Four starting freshmen! It's a testament to the depth issues due to transfers and recruiting misses in the previous years prior to the 2021 class they brought in. Our WR room in particular has been particularly sketchy the last two years. Despite those limitations we somehow managed to go 11-1 during the regular season this year, 12-0 during the previous regular season (Beating a #1 team in that year which hasn't been done at ND in decades), and in his first job as OC Rees dismantled another very good defensive team in Iowa State.

Some of you need to look at the facts. First off, we let Long go because the writing was on the wall...players didn't like him and they could see things were going to get worse. They had other options at OC and Tommy was the one that was chosen out of more experienced candidates. BK leaves, he willingly offers Rees a huge bump of 400k to come. If he wasn't any good, why would BK hamstring himself with a bad coach? The entire offense that week swore by Rees, and many also threw his name into the hat for HC along with Freeman. His name was listed as one of the three necessary coaches needed to keep the program moving forward along with Freeman and Balis. When you look at all these freshmen that got meaningful playing time this year it's a testament to what they're starting to build. They're bringing in new talent, talent that's beating out upperclassmen. The future is bright offensively. Why would you kill that momentum?

Sorry, Bill Rees

Tommy is the greatest OC ND will ever have and we're all excited to see what low ceiling 3 star QB he brings in for 2023.

 

[ulukinatme]

Sorry, Bill Rees

Tommy is the greatest OC ND will ever have and we're all excited to see what low ceiling 3 star QB he brings in for 2023.

How many 3 stars has Rees recruited? One. Just one. Since taking the QB Coach job in 2017 Tommy has brought in Brandon Clark, who was supposed to be insurance if 5 star Philure went down or didn't pan out. The rest have been 4 stars, a few rather high. This is why I can't take some of ya'll seriously, you act like we've got nothing but Rudys in the QB room.

 

[chicago51]

Gut feeling is that Rees does try to be a good recruiter but I don't think he enjoys recruiting. Like Marcus Freeman legit enjoys that part of the job, but I think Rees sees it more of an unpleasant but necessary part of the job. He rather be on the field or in the film room.

I would NOT be surprised if an NFL team comes calling if Rees is gone after next season. Heck after the head coaching dust settles in the NFL, he might even be gone before this season. I don't think it's a guarantee Rees makes it to Shoe. I think it's unlikely he gets called this cycle but not totally out of the question.

I think TR would like to be in the NFL where he can just coach.