Former Notre Dame quarterback and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has been a top name in several head coaching searches over the last few years. Could the Cleveland Browns finally be the spot where he gets his shot?
Rees has had a meteoric rise in his young coaching career. After leaving Notre Dame, he worked under Nick Saban as Alabama's OC and then moved on to the Cleveland Browns when Saban retired. Rees was quickly promoted to offensive coordinator under Kevin Stefanski. While the team struggled all season, most believe it had more to do with young quarterbacks and poor fits on the roster.
Now, several Cleveland Browns insiders believe that Tommy Rees is a legitimate option for the team's head coach. The former Notre Dame player and coach interviewed earlier this week, and while there are other names out there, the Browns might want to go with young and up and coming, rather than a retread like John Harbaugh (Harbaugh might also want to stay far away from Cleveland).
Cleveland Browns insiders view former Notre Dame coach Tommy Rees as real option
"I think that is the risk with the Tommy Rees interview is you might either have to hire him as your head coach or run the risk of losing him," Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot explained on a recent podcast appearance, highlighting the critical dilemma facing the organization.
What makes this situation particularly compelling is the almost universal praise that Rees has garnered from respected voices both inside and outside the organization. He’s been described as an “offensive savant” whose brilliance belies his age and relative inexperience.
Rees spent six seasons as a coach at Notre Dame from 2017-22. He first coached quarterbacks and then became the offensive coordinator in 2020 – a role he held for three seasons. In three years as Notre Dame's OC, the team averaged more than 30 points per game each year and advanced to the College Football Playoffs in 2020 after posting an undefeated regular season. When he moved onto Alabama, there were more than a few Fighting Irish fans very sorry to see him go.