Tommy Rees may play professionally.
Under new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, the former Tide offensive coordinator is apparently pursuing a career
in the NFL after an almost spotless record of projected hires.
Rees and the Cleveland Browns are getting close to finalizing an agreement for Rees to become their tight ends coach, according to a number of stories released on Monday. Rees, 31, will work with Kevin Stefanski, the head coach. The first to report that the parties were “working” toward an agreement was Zac Jackson of The Athletic, who also pointed out that Rees’ title hasn’t been decided.
Rees called plays for Alabama’s 56th-ranked offense in his one and only season as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator after a lengthy stay at Notre Dame. The offensive unit of UA, which had trouble deciding on a starter quarterback throughout the first month of the year, averaged 393.1 yards per game and 55 points. The entire season, quarterback Jalen Milroe emerged as one of the SEC’s best playmakers, and the Tide offense combined a strong running game with deep passes to create a balance.
Rees was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which is presented to the finest college football assistant coach. Before the Iron Bowl, Saban talked highly of Rees and nominated him:
“I believe he’s done an excellent job of changing our offense and our players’ progress. That, in my opinion, has had a significant impact on both our team’s overall and offensive confidence. He performed a fantastic job.
Having spent a week on an NFL roster and quarterbacking at Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013, Rees has eight years of collegiate coaching experience. He was well-known for using his tight ends when he came to Alabama. Amari Niblack (20 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns) and Maryland transfer CJ Dippre (11 catches for 187 yards) were used infrequently by Rees.
The NFL playoffs began with the Browns’ elimination in the opening round. Three offensive coaches—coordinator Alex Van Pelt, tight ends coach T.C. McCartney, and running backs coach Stump Mitchell—are being replaced by Stefanski.
Rees stated on December 28 that “you take these jobs, you take this opportunity, knowing the challenges that come with it.” “In my opinion, you desire that. You want to be in an environment where standards are high. You should be in an environment where expectations are high. You want to be at a location where people care about you and football is significant, and you know what it means. That was one of the things that drew me to the job. Being prepared, being challenged daily in your thinking and development, learning from Coach Saban, and improving under Coach are all benefits.
