Paul Finebaum believes NIL issues played a role in Tommy Rees' decision to leave Notre Dame

Nick Saban made an interesting splash Friday when he lured Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees away from his alma mater to become the new offensive coordinator at Alabama. The hire has led to plenty of reaction, especially considering where the Fighting Irish offense ranked last season under Rees.

Paul Finebaum thinks it says more about Notre Dame than it does about Rees, though.

Finebaum reacted to Rees’ decision to leave for Alabama and said it speaks to the current landscape in college football with NIL. He thinks the Crimson Tide — and bigger public schools, for that matter — are in better position than private schools such as Notre Dame in the current landscape because they can get bigger contributions for NIL. That, in turn, better helps programs not only retain players, but recruit high-caliber prospects, as well.

“What it tells me is that he wanted out of Notre Dame,” Finebaum said on The Paul Finebaum Show Friday shortly after the news broke. “Notre Dame’s a private school, and I don’t think private schools can compete any longer in the NIL place because their alumni are not going to contribute to the same degree as the bigger schools.”

Last season, Notre Dame ranked 60th in the nation in total offense with 396 yards per game and 41st in scoring offense with 31.8 points per contest. But the Fighting Irish saw multiple questions come up at quarterback after starter Tyler Buchner went down with an injury and backup Drew Pyne took over for the rest of the season.

Then, Rees and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman landed a big fish in the transfer portal this offseason by bringing in Sam Hartman — the No. 1 quarterback to hit the portal this cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Rees is now leaving the ACC’s all-time passing touchdown leader behind to go to Alabama and the SEC, and Finebaum said he has quite a task ahead now.

“Let me say this. Young guy. I mean, whether Notre Dame fans are happy or not, I don’t know,” Finebaum said. “I think there’s some mixed opinions. He’s in the same spot that we’ve seen people like Jim McElwain, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Brian Daboll. These are some major names. In no way has he proven himself to be in the same league as any of them.

“That doesn’t mean he won’t be successful. The real challenge is he’s leaving behind a proven quarterback in Sam Hartman.”