Alabama Football: Nick Saban may be going young for an OC

It was learned on Thursday morning that Nick Saban is considering Tommy Rees to become the next Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator. A University of Alabama plane was dispatched to snowy South Bend to bring Rees to Tuscaloosa for an interview.

Tommy Rees is a former Notre Dame quarterback from the 2010-2013 seasons. Rees was a graduate assistant at Northwestern in the 2015 season. He was a member of the offensive staff of the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2016 season. He went back to South Bend in the 2017 season as the Quarterback Coach and held that position for three seasons. Going back to the 2020 season, he has been Notre Dame’s QB coach and Offensive Coordinator.

There is no better source for Nick Saban’s plans than ESPN’s Chris Low. Low reported Rees and Saban have had phone discussions and Low described Rees as ‘the top target’ for the Alabama job.

The Notre Dame offense was at best, average last season. The Fighting Irish were No. 60 in the FBS at 396.2 yards per game. Notre Dame was No. 45 in the 2021 season at 426.2 yards per game and No. 26 in the 2020 season at 448.5 yards per game.

Those results do not reach the standard for the Alabama Crimson Tide. But, a comparison may not be valid. Notre Dame’s offensive rosters have not been close to the Crimson Tide’s in terms of talent for a long time.

Some Alabama fans were quick to debate whether Rees is ‘the top candidate’ or just another of several guys Nick Saban has or will talk to. Those fans could be correct, but Chris Low is a careful wordsmith who favors substance over sizzle. At the least, it appears Tommy Rees is ‘a top target’ for Nick Saban.

Alabama Football and a Young OC

It must also be resaid that like the others before him, the Crimson Tide’s next OC will run Alabama’s offense. Nick Saban can adapt, and with Kiffin and Sarkisian particularly, it was clear Saban was open to change. But the goals and objectives of the Crimson Tide’s 2023 offense will be defined by Saban.

What Alabama and Saban would get with Rees is a new coaching generation’s thinking about football. If for no other reason, Rees’ youth would make him an interesting hire.

Alabama football fans are also remembering that Brian Kelly tried to get Rees to join him in Baton Rouge. For the 30-year-old coach to have turned down Kelly, and a season later to possibly join Nick Saban would delight some Crimson Tide fans.