Right after Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore, there were reports that former Notre Dame quarterback and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees would be one of the top candidates for the job. At the time, it was more of a "here's the people who might be a target" from ESPN. But now there appears to be real interest from the Wolverines.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, league sources have made it clear that UM is interested in interviewing Rees. The question is just when the interview process will start.
As Cabot pointed out, the former Notre Dame and Alabama offensive coordinator would likely take the interview, considering he talked to Penn State about its head coach vacancy last week before it went with Matt Campbell.
League sources say interest has escalated beyond speculation for the former Notre Dame coach
Rees, a former Notre Dame QB, started his coaching career at Northwestern as a graduate assistant in 2015. He moved to Notre Dame to coach its QBs from 2017-19 before becoming the Irish's OC from 2020-22. Rees became Alabama's OC in 2023 and then moved to the NFL to coach with the Browns.
Since jumping to the Browns, he's been mentioned as a possible head coach candidate at several openings. He was even a dark-horse candidate to take over Alabama when Nick Saban retired. He was also considered at least a candidate for the UCLA opening after DeShaun Foster was fired.
Only 33 years old, Rees is considered an up-and-comer in the coaching profession. His stint with a Browns team that hasn't really impressed anyone hasn't been much of a hit on his reputation.
That said, Rees would likely like to bail out of Cleveland before it takes him down. That's another reason why the former Notre Dame assistant and quarterback would listen if Michigan came calling.