BREAKING: Notre Dame Promotes Tom Rees To OC
Brian Kelly looked across the country, but in the end, the Notre Dame head coach found his next offensive coordinator down the hall.
On Tuesday, the Irish announced they’re promoting quarterbacks coach Tom Rees to offensive coordinator to replace Chip Long who was let go in December.
“After an extensive national search, I’m proud to name Tom Rees our next offensive coordinator,” Kelly said in a statement released by the University. “Tom’s ability to connect with our players and staff and accepting and embracing the incredible opportunity in being the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame made him the right choice.
“While Tom’s leadership ability and knowledge of the game was evident, it was his humble approach to his own development and desire to continue to grow and learn that were also key factors that set him apart in a talented pool of candidates.”
Running backs coach Lance Taylor has been promoted to run game coordinator.
“Lance’s ability to gain consensus within the staff by implementing a running game plan that fits our personnel and is tactically and technically sound makes him a great fit for this position.” Kelly said in the same statement.
The Irish reportedly had interest in multiple candidates for the offensive coordinator position, including former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin and former Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead, but went with the former Notre Dame signal-caller in the end.
Rees has spent the last two seasons coaching quarterbacks under Kelly following a stint as an offensive assistant with the San Diego Chargers in 2016 and a year as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2015.
Rees started a total of 30 games for the Irish from 2010-13, completing just under 60 percent of his passes for 7,351 yards, 61 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.
Following Long’s departure, Rees was given the chance to call plays during Notre Dame’s 33-9 win over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl on Dec. 28th. The Irish racked up 455 yards, including 208 rushing yards, without turning the ball over. Ian Book completed 20 of his 28 attempts for 247 yards and a score against Iowa State.
Iowa State’s defense came into the game rated 22nd in SP+ on defense. It was the highest average yards per play for the offense and highest yards per attempt for Book against any Power 5 opponent Notre Dame played in 2019.
The announcement seems to be a welcomed one for Book.