From QB to Coach: How Well Do You Know Tommy Rees?

Tommy Rees played as a quarterback for Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013. His association with the Fighting Irish is deeply rooted, both as a player and later as a coach. While other schools mentioned are prominent programs, Rees’s name is most strongly tied to Notre Dame in media, alumni circles, and football retrospectives. His identity as a smart but sometimes polarizing quarterback was forged during this tenure, making this answer crucial context.

Tommy Rees went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. He completed his college eligibility in 2013, meaning his first NFL opportunity came the following spring. The confusion often arises because his NFL hopes were limited and short-lived, making the timeline less obvious. Nonetheless, 2014 is the accurate and traceable draft year.

After college, Rees briefly signed with the New England Patriots. His stint was extremely short and mostly off-season practice–based, but it still counts as his most formal NFL affiliation. He was waived before the season started, so many fans overlook this fact. The other teams were never directly associated with his post-college career.

In 2023, Tommy Rees joined the Alabama Crimson Tide as offensive coordinator. This move was seen as a major shift, leaving Notre Dame for an SEC powerhouse under Nick Saban. It marked a new phase in his career, pushing him into the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of the SEC, which contrasted his prior coaching trajectory.

Rees primarily served as a quarterbacks coach before rising to offensive coordinator. His own playing experience as a QB translated into his early coaching duties at Notre Dame. He worked closely with quarterbacks and play design, making this his most documented and accurate role across multiple seasons.

As a player, one of the main criticisms of Rees was his lack of arm strength. Analysts and fans often pointed out that while he had good football IQ and leadership, he struggled with deep throws and velocity, limiting Notre Dame’s vertical offense during his tenure. This critique followed him into conversations about coaching strategy too.

In 2013, Rees replaced Everett Golson, who was suspended due to academic issues. This made his role in the team unexpectedly central. While not a new face, Rees re-entered the starting QB position under unique circumstances, which led to both praise for his reliability and criticism for performance inconsistency.

Brian Kelly was the head coach at Notre Dame when Rees transitioned into coaching. Rees joined as a graduate assistant and worked his way up the ladder under Kelly's mentorship. Their working relationship was long-standing and formative in Rees’ coaching style and promotion decisions.

Rees was promoted to offensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2020 when he was just 28 years old. His quick rise from QB coach to OC surprised many but was justified by his understanding of the system and player development under Brian Kelly. It also made him one of the youngest coordinators in the nation.

“Rees Rage Cam” became a fan-favorite meme because of how animated he appeared during sideline broadcasts. His fiery reactions and aggressive play-calling mannerisms were captured during televised games, often becoming meme material. It reflects his passionate and sometimes controversial coaching style, widely discussed in college football forums.