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Alabama OC Tommy Rees emerges as potential candidate for Northwestern head coach opening

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•07/11/23•

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(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees emerged as a candidate for the Northwestern head coaching vacancy, according to college football insider Bruce Feldman.

Northwestern parted ways with Pat Fitzgerald amid allegations of hazing within the program. If the Wildcats want to strike gold on a new era of football, Rees might be a target.

The Crimson Tide assistant just left Notre Dame and is about to begin his first year under Nick Saban.

“Another Power 5 OC we think will be on Northwestern’s radar is new Bama offensive coordinator Rees, a Chicago native and a guy who got his coaching start as a Wildcats GA in 2015,” Feldman wrote for The Athletic. “Rees knows plenty about what it’s like to work in a high academic program, having quarterbacked and then coached at Notre Dame. That would be a big plus. At 31, Rees is still exceptionally young, and his time under Nick Saban only figures to help his career down the road.”

Rees emerged as a top assistant recently and aided Marcus Freeman in the latter’s first full year as head coach at Notre Dame.

Tommy Rees linked to Northwestern coaching vacancy

But after Alabama made some changes, the Crimson Tide wanted a fresh face running the offense.

“I have the utmost respect for what Coach Saban has built at Alabama and the tradition of this program,” Rees said in a statement back in February. “I’m excited to have this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to getting in the meeting room and on the practice field with this team.”

Saban, 71, raved about his new assistant coaching haul.

“We are excited to bring in such a gifted group of coaches to develop our players both on and off the field,” Saban said. “Kevin, Tommy Rees and Austin have a great mix of energy, enthusiasm and experience that will be a tremendous asset to our program. They are all excellent teachers of the game and fantastic recruiters who bring a wealth of experience and resources to our staff.”

Fitzgerald began coaching at Northwestern in 2001, beginning as the linebacker coach. He eventually worked his way up to head coach and will finish his career with a 110-101 overall record. The Wildcats made two Big Ten Championships under his guidance and appeared in 10 games.

But after news of hazing allegations broke, Fitzgerald was originally suspended for two games without pay. As the news cycle continued, Northwestern evaluated its decision and ultimately decided to make a coaching change.