Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I think you answered your own question there. Brian Kelly was at ND for 11 years and I still couldn't tell you what kind of offense he ran. He was straight up air raid at Cincinnati then adopted whatever this is. I think everyone just calls it "pro style" because they don't know what else to call it.

I call it grab bag.

 

[Bluto]

I call it grab bag.

Schematic West Coast Spread? Sounds kinda like a brunch menu item but it could work.

 

[stlnd01]

Correct. Freeman would not have been hired if Rees didn't take the job first. There is no narrative on this issue. It is a fact that Rees was hired first and was a pre-condition for Freeman getting hired.

It is a fact that Rees signed a new deal before Freeman was hired, yes. Less clear that it was a "pre-condition" for Freeman getting hired, though as Lax wrote the other day it may have been a sort of package deal by Swarbrick to ease concerns about continuity.
Regardless, all these negotiations were going on simultaneously so I have a hard time buying that Freeman didn't generally greenlight Rees. Which, I'd agree, is not at all the same thing as Freeman picking his own OC and it just happening to be Tommy Rees.

 

[dublinirish]

I think you answered your own question there. Brian Kelly was at ND for 11 years and I still couldn't tell you what kind of offense he ran. He was straight up air raid at Cincinnati then adopted whatever this is. I think everyone just calls it "pro style" because they don't know what else to call it.

ah tbh he's on record as saying he didnt give a shit about what offense he ran as long as they were winning. He ran a triple option for a bit at GVSU afterall

 

[stlnd01]

ah tbh he's on record as saying he didnt give a shit about what offense he ran as long as they were winning. He ran a triple option for a bit at GVSU afterall

I always had the sense that BK's "offense" was basically "play to the strengths of your roster."
Which I've no problem with, really, as long as you understand the strengths of your roster.

 

[ColinKSU]

I think you answered your own question there. Brian Kelly was at ND for 11 years and I still couldn't tell you what kind of offense he ran. He was straight up air raid at Cincinnati then adopted whatever this is. I think everyone just calls it "pro style" because they don't know what else to call it.

Fair point, hah.

 

[dublinirish]

I always had the sense that BK's "offense" was basically "play to the strengths of your roster."
Which I've no problem with, really, as long as you understand the strengths of your roster.

100%. What TR is doing right now is anything but to the strength of the players

 

[arndtjc]

I think the most frustrating part, for me anyway, is that he shows flashes of brilliance in play calling. The first TD drive vs Marshall was such a nice mix of play calling and kept them off balance, and then for some reason he just….stopped? The setup for the Baumann seam pass week one, look for a toss outside a few times, get the defense thinking run, and then bang big play. I don’t know if he’s over thinking it or what it is, but he can’t seem to get out of his own way. For about the seventh time in the last two weeks, I once again ask where are the screen passes and swing passes to the speedsters in space?

 

[stlnd01]

I think the most frustrating part, for me anyway, is that he shows flashes of brilliance in play calling. The first TD drive vs Marshall was such a nice mix of play calling and kept them off balance, and then for some reason he just….stopped? The setup for the Baumann seam pass week one, look for a toss outside a few times, get the defense thinking run, and then bang big play. I don’t know if he’s over thinking it or what it is, but he can’t seem to get out of his own way. For about the seventh time in the last two weeks, I once again ask where are the screen passes and swing passes to the speedsters in space?

That Baumann seam pass in the Ohio State game, with the fake pitch and the quick pass, was a thing of beauty. That whole drive (aided by Salerno's circus catch of course) was impressive. It gives you hope. And yet...

 

[NDMatt91]

I still think he'll call a decent game on Saturday. And believe me, I'm the furthest thing from a Tommy supporter.

 

[ColinKSU]

I think the most frustrating part, for me anyway, is that he shows flashes of brilliance in play calling. The first TD drive vs Marshall was such a nice mix of play calling and kept them off balance, and then for some reason he just….stopped? The setup for the Baumann seam pass week one, look for a toss outside a few times, get the defense thinking run, and then bang big play. I don’t know if he’s over thinking it or what it is, but he can’t seem to get out of his own way. For about the seventh time in the last two weeks, I once again ask where are the screen passes and swing passes to the speedsters in space?

He gives the impression that he’s more concerned with showing how brilliant of a playcaller he is than doing anything that’s repeatable.

College football isn’t rocket science.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I still think he'll call a decent game on Saturday. And believe me, I'm the furthest thing from a Tommy supporter.

Likely, his hand is forced and that may help him. The KISS method will help him.

 

[arndtjc]

Why haven’t we seen the multiple motion slot sweep that has done nothing but gone for big plays the last couple years? Lenzy has scored twice on BIG plays on that call, and we haven’t tried to, nor set it up to try it, one time? Come on man

 

[ThePiombino]

So dislike Rees’ autonomous decisions and dislike Freeman’s overruling of Rees as well?

No, you turd. The fact that Parker being the best we can do wouldn't be a great sign.

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[Dale]

No, you turd. The fact that Parker being the best we can do wouldn't be a great sign.

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Haha.

I was anti Parker from Day 1 and wouldn’t think he’s the best choice either, but while I’ll play the hypothetical threads game, the odds our 2023 OC is currently on staff is like -400 to me be it Rees, Parker or DMC. I just found it ironic you’re anti Rees autonomy, but also anti Parker as next OC, which Freeman seemingly brought him in with that opportunity likely in play in the future and as someone who can “check” the current OC.

 

[ThePiombino]

Haha.

I was anti Parker from Day 1 and wouldn’t think he’s the best choice either, but while I’ll play the hypothetical threads game, the odds our 2023 OC is currently on staff is like -400 to me be it Rees, Parker or DMC. I just found it ironic you’re anti Rees autonomy, but also anti Parker as next OC, which Freeman seemingly brought him in with that opportunity likely in play in the future and as someone who can “check” the current OC.

I don't see it that way entirely. I doubt the backup plan for OC was a guy with 2 total years experience as OC in which the offense averaged 26 and 25 ppg respectively. I assumed (hoped) it was about having an "experienced" voice on the O staff (esp considering the Stuckey hire) as well as a MF voice in the room. If the hire was to supplant Rees as OC eventually then I have some concerns about the direction of the offense that I didn't have 10 minutes ago. And 10 minutes ago I was already very concerned. My assumption (hope) is that MF does what he told the Carr family what he would do should Rees move on and that's that they would go out and get the very best person for the position. Not a person on the planet (outside the Parker household) who believes that would be Parker.

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[stlnd01]

It feels like promoting Parker would be a re-run of keeping Rees. The easiest move, but not necessarily the wisest move. If Rees has to go we should go get someone really really good.
That said, he's nice to have around as a fallback if Rees needs to go mid-season or something. Though it'd also be nice to have McNulty still on staff. He seemed like a really good sounding board for Rees last year.

 

[arahop]

I swear to God. If this is true...between this and turning down Daniels/Slovis is straight up fireable.

No doubt about it.

 

[irishff1014]

Haha.

I was anti Parker from Day 1 and wouldn’t think he’s the best choice either, but while I’ll play the hypothetical threads game, the odds our 2023 OC is currently on staff is like -400 to me be it Rees, Parker or DMC. I just found it ironic you’re anti Rees autonomy, but also anti Parker as next OC, which Freeman seemingly brought him in with that opportunity likely in play in the future and as someone who can “check” the current OC.

I don’t think that would be best for the team. And I’ll leave it at that.

 

[ulukinatme]

I heard Rees kicked a pack of puppies.

 

[ColinKSU]

I try and be positive about Rees, but he sucks and makes horrible decisions. They just compound and get worse. All in on Dante Moore, no relationships with other '23 kids. No transfer QB's, even ones that wanted in at ND, no development of Buchner, Pyne, stating he doesn't work on throwing motions once kids are on campus, no to analysts, bland personality and needed others to recruit for him, regression of OL, no points in second half vs Ohio State, no adjustments in bowl game, no progress vs Marshall, no running game, no Merriweather, not using Tyree, waiting until the bowl game to utilize Styles. The list goes on and on. I am likely forgetting numerous blunders and head scratchers. The TR lovers and apologists have to admit they were wrong at some point.

I’ve spent over a decade frustrated in some way, shape or form by Tommy and it’s exhausting, man.

 

[ulukinatme]

I’ve spent over a decade frustrated in some way, shape or form by Tommy and it’s exhausting, man.

Your frustration a decade ago was misplaced. Present team problems aside, Tommy played above his status as a player. Your frustration should have been directed towards more athletic players that didn't live up to the hype.

 

[T-Boone]

I think you answered your own question there. Brian Kelly was at ND for 11 years and I still couldn't tell you what kind of offense he ran. He was straight up air raid at Cincinnati then adopted whatever this is. I think everyone just calls it "pro style" because they don't know what else to call it.

Punt style offense

 

[T-Boone]

Haha.

I was anti Parker from Day 1 and wouldn’t think he’s the best choice either, but while I’ll play the hypothetical threads game, the odds our 2023 OC is currently on staff is like -400 to me be it Rees, Parker or DMC. I just found it ironic you’re anti Rees autonomy, but also anti Parker as next OC, which Freeman seemingly brought him in with that opportunity likely in play in the future and as someone who can “check” the current OC.

If we have Carr we need a Parker

 

[T-Boone]

I heard Rees kicked a pack of puppies.

Oh you have to be kidding. Puppies in a cup.

 

[GATTACA!]

Your frustration a decade ago was misplaced. Present team problems aside, Tommy played above his status as a player. Your frustration should have been directed towards more athletic players that didn't live up to the hype.

Just because Tommy turnover was trying his best doesn't mean it wasn't wall punchingly frustrating to watch.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Your frustration a decade ago was misplaced. Present team problems aside, Tommy played above his status as a player. Your frustration should have been directed towards more athletic players that didn't live up to the hype.

Mrs. Rees - everything will be fine. I did see Tommy golfed like 7 times in July (USGA GHIN) and more troubling 9 times during May which is the Evaluation Period. I bet he won't be golfing a lot in the future. I think Boy Tommy was a wee bit arrogant based on the hype sent his way. "We will likely lose him to the NFL shortly...." Blah Blah Blah..... I think Tommy will be able to golf a lot more when he becomes HS Coach.

F-him he is a Brian Kelly lazy sycophant. Should have gone to LSU with his Mentor. They both could then golf together.

 

[NDdomer2]

Statistically, this statement is untrue.

Rushing Success and Play-Action Passing

Conventional wisdom says you need a strong running game to get the most out of play-action passing. Guest columnist Ben Baldwin breaks down the numbers to find if that's really true.

www.footballoutsiders.com

So then tell me why EVERY pass play doesn't involve a quick fake handoff?

Stats just don't tell the whole story in regards to a football plays success.

Down/distance, play timing, score, game clock, opponents play call, etc. ALL have impact and therefore you can't just say PA or not.

For instance the stat getting used for ND currently is based on like 19 pass plays out of like 130 ish total plays.

Would you change your entire passing playbook because you found success in ~15% of ur play calls? There may be a reason those 19 plays had good success. Called at appropriate time, broke tendency, etc. Solely calling them more often doesn't guarantee continued equal success.

 

[lcaps20]

Mrs. Rees - everything will be fine. I did see Tommy golfed like 7 times in July (USGA GHIN) and more troubling 9 times during May which is the Evaluation Period. I bet he won't be golfing a lot in the future. I think Boy Tommy was a wee bit arrogant based on the hype sent his way. "We will likely lose him to the NFL shortly...." Blah Blah Blah..... I think Tommy will be able to golf a lot more when he becomes HS Coach.

F-him he is a Brian Kelly lazy sycophant. Should have gone to LSU with his Mentor. They both could then golf together.

You are a special sort of individual

 

[FOTY977]

I did see Tommy golfed like 7 times in July (USGA GHIN) and more troubling 9 times during May which is the Evaluation Period.

Funny you mention this, I was playing the Warren Course with my FIL last summer where the starter mentioned they’d been seeing him + some others of the offensive staff more on the course than ever lately.