Report: Tommy Rees was 'favorite' at North Carolina if Bill Belichick hire fell through
If North Carolina failed to hire Bill Belichick as its next head coach, Tommy Rees was a “favorite” for the role, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The former Alabama and Notre Dame offensive coordinator was a top candidate to replace Mack Brown.
Rees spent one year as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator in 2023 following three years in the role at Notre Dame. Following Saban’s retirement, Rees headed to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns as tight ends coach and pass game coordinator.
Rees – a former Notre Dame quarterback who worked his way up the coaching ranks under Brian Kelly before Saban hired him – is widely respected in coaching circles. Saban offered high praise for him, as well, during their time together. In fact, the legendary coach advocated for Rees to get the UNC job, Schefter reported.
Rees played a key role in the development of Jalen Milroe during his lone season at Alabama. Under his watch, the Crimson Tide averaged 393.1 yards and 34 points per game to make one final College Football Playoff appearance under Saban’s watch. Milroe threw for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 531 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground as he finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
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Saban then retired after the 2023 campaign, and Tommy Rees was viewed as a serious internal candidate to replace him before Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer. Despite leaving college coaching this year, he continues to have respect and is seen as a potential head coach in the future.
Ultimately, North Carolina opted to hire Belichick to replace Brown, giving him a reported three-year deal worth $30 million. It’s a big swing for the Tar Heels, who bring in one of the top NFL coaches in history. Belichick has eight Super Bowl rings, including six with the New England Patriots alongside Tom Brady, and is considered arguably the greatest coach in league history. During his career as a head coach with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns, Belichick has a 302-165 record.