New Alabama offensive coordinator’s connection to LSU Tigers

On Friday, Alabama hired an offensive coordinator with some ties to the LSU Tigers. Additionally, Tommy Rees’s move to Tuscaloosa significantly impacts LSU’s upcoming football season.

LSU Tigers fans are surprised to learn that Tommy Rees departed his alma mater to join Nick Saban’s staff. Rees replaces Bill O’Brien as Alabama’s offensive coordinator after six years coaching offense at Notre Dame. Reese also played quarterback for the Fighting Irish from 2010 to 2013. In Rees, the Crimson Tide inherit a 30-year-old play-caller known for engineering advanced schemes and enabling chunk plays. Such ability was coveted by the LSU Tigers last offseason.

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Not long after accepting the LSU Tigers head coaching job, Brian Kelly attempted to bring Tommy Rees to Baton Rouge. Reports indicated LSU offered Rees a $400,000 raise to make a move. However, the Los Angeles native opted to remain in South Bend and serve under newly promoted Irish head coach Marcus Freeman. Rees initially joined Kelly’s staff at Notre Dame in 2017, following a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers. He served as quarterbacks coach until Kelly promoted him to offensive coordinator in 2020.

LSU Tigers fans will spend some of the Spring wondering, what will Rees bring to Alabama’s offense? After all, few in Baton Rouge were anxious to see O’Brien go. It wasn’t long ago when the Tide’s offense struggled to adjust to LSU’s suffocating defense in Death Valley. As a result, many Alabama fans turned on their former offensive coordinator, blaming their 2022 woes on his reluctance to run the ball. Suffice it to say; the 2023 Crimson Tide will have no issues running the ball under their new offensive coordinator.

Well, at least, attempting to run the ball.

Rees joining Alabama adds to an already-incredible storyline ahead of their 2023 contest with the LSU Tigers. The Bayou Bengals will travel to Tuscaloosa on November 4th, looking for their 2nd win over Alabama under Kelly. However, this time around, we expect the Bayou Bengals to prepare for a significant downhill rushing attack. Perhaps, another monster game for sophomore linebacker Harold Perkins is in order.