Should Tommy Rees be hired by Brian Kelly to coach tight ends at LSU?

Should Brian Kelly Bring Tommy Rees to LSU as Tight Ends Coach?

As Brian Kelly enters his third season as head coach of LSU football, the stakes have never been higher for the Tigers. With a roster full of talent, an ever-evolving SEC landscape, and lofty expectations from fans and alumni alike, Kelly’s leadership and ability to make the right hires will be critical to LSU’s success moving forward. One of the positions currently being scrutinized on the LSU coaching staff is the tight ends coach role, a position that could benefit from the expertise of former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

Rees, who has spent several years at Notre Dame as both a player and coach, is well-versed in the intricacies of the tight end position. Under his guidance at Notre Dame, tight ends have flourished, making Rees a natural candidate for any program looking to elevate its tight end play. With LSU’s tight ends in need of development, bringing Rees into the fold as LSU’s tight ends coach could provide the Tigers with a significant boost in an often-underappreciated position.

In this article, we will explore whether Brian Kelly should bring Tommy Rees to LSU to coach tight ends. We will analyze Rees’ coaching history, the specific needs of LSU’s tight end group, and how his experience could positively impact the program moving forward. Additionally, we will explore the broader implications of bringing a former offensive coordinator into a position coach role and what that might mean for Kelly’s vision for LSU football.

Tommy Rees: A Proven Coach with a Wealth of Experience

Tommy Rees is a name familiar to anyone who has followed Notre Dame football over the past decade. A former quarterback at Notre Dame, Rees transitioned into coaching after his playing career ended, quickly rising through the ranks due to his strong football IQ and ability to develop players. Rees has worked under some of college football’s most respected coaches, including Brian Kelly, making him a familiar face to LSU fans who are already familiar with Kelly’s methods.

Coaching Career and Success at Notre Dame

Rees’ coaching journey began shortly after he finished his playing days at Notre Dame. After a brief stint as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, he was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2017. Under his tutelage, Notre Dame’s quarterbacks developed into some of the most efficient in the country. In 2020, Rees took over as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator, and his ability to craft a balanced and efficient offense was key to the Fighting Irish’s continued success.

One area where Rees excelled during his tenure at Notre Dame was his work with the tight end position. Tight ends played an integral role in Notre Dame’s offensive scheme, particularly in the passing game. Notably, tight ends like Michael Mayer, a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, thrived under Rees’ guidance, developing into top-tier players at the collegiate level. Mayer’s role in Notre Dame’s offense became a staple, and Rees was instrumental in utilizing his talents to the fullest.

In addition to Mayer, other tight ends at Notre Dame, such as Tommy Tremble and Brock Wright, also developed into solid NFL prospects. These players’ growth and success under Rees are testament to his ability to develop talent at the position and understand how to utilize tight ends in both the passing and running game.

What Tommy Rees Can Bring to LSU’s Tight End Position

With Rees’ experience coaching tight ends, it’s clear that he could have an immediate and profound impact on LSU’s tight end group. LSU has a rich tradition of producing top-tier talent at nearly every position, but tight end has been a spot where the Tigers have yet to consistently produce elite players in recent years. With Rees’ track record of coaching and developing successful tight ends, his hiring could be the key to unlocking the potential of LSU’s current roster.

LSU has several talented tight ends on its roster, including Mason Taylor, a rising star who showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman season. However, the Tigers have yet to have a tight end break out as a major offensive weapon, and many fans and analysts have pointed to this as a potential area for growth in the LSU offense. By bringing in Rees, Kelly could tap into his expertise and experience to further develop LSU’s tight ends, helping them become a focal point in the offense.

Rees’ ability to coach tight ends to succeed in both the run and pass game would be especially valuable for LSU. While LSU has had success with their wide receivers, the tight end position remains one area where they could improve their offensive diversity. Tight ends can be a nightmare for opposing defenses, particularly when they can both block effectively and run routes with precision. This dual-threat capability is something that Rees has consistently utilized in his offenses, and it is a skill set that could elevate LSU’s offense to new heights.

How Rees Fits into Brian Kelly’s Vision for LSU Football

Brian Kelly has always been known as a coach who emphasizes balanced and disciplined play. His offensive philosophy focuses on being able to run the ball effectively while also incorporating a high-powered passing game. Tight ends are an integral part of this philosophy, as they provide the versatility to create mismatches in both the passing and running game.

By bringing Tommy Rees to LSU as tight ends coach, Kelly would be doubling down on his vision for an offense that is multifaceted and capable of exploiting defenses in a variety of ways. Rees’ background as an offensive coordinator, coupled with his experience coaching tight ends, means that he would bring a wealth of knowledge to the position. Rees understands how to use the tight end position to complement the rest of the offense, and this is precisely what Kelly would need to continue building a successful and competitive LSU team.

One of the key reasons why Rees could be a great fit for LSU is his familiarity with Kelly’s system. Having worked together at Notre Dame, Rees already understands Kelly’s expectations and philosophies. This continuity would make the transition into LSU’s coaching staff smoother and more effective. Kelly would not have to re-educate a coach who already understands the program’s core values, which is a significant advantage in an environment as high-pressure as SEC football.

The Case for Bringing in Rees as Tight Ends Coach

1. Development of Current Players

Rees’ experience coaching tight ends at Notre Dame shows that he is capable of developing players at the position, even those who might not initially stand out. He took players like Mayer, Tremble, and Wright—who were highly regarded but not necessarily top-tier prospects—and helped them develop into stars. LSU has several tight ends with potential, including Mason Taylor and Kole Taylor, who could thrive under Rees’ tutelage.

2. Utilizing Tight Ends in the Passing Game

Tight ends are essential in modern college football offenses, and their ability to stretch the field in both the short and deep passing games is crucial. Rees has a proven track record of creating mismatches with tight ends, and his ability to design routes and schemes that get the tight end involved in the passing game would help LSU add a new dimension to its offense.

3. Improved Blocking in the Run Game

In addition to their receiving ability, tight ends are also crucial in the blocking game. Rees’ tight ends have consistently demonstrated proficiency in blocking, which is key to establishing a strong running game. This is a skill set LSU’s tight ends could use to provide better support for running backs and give quarterbacks more time to make plays.

4. Rees’ Ability to Adapt

Rees has shown the ability to adapt to the strengths of his players. While at Notre Dame, he coached quarterbacks with different skill sets, adjusting his offensive game plan to suit their abilities. The same approach would apply to LSU’s tight ends, allowing him to tailor his coaching style to the strengths of each player on the roster.

Potential Challenges of Hiring Rees as Tight Ends Coach

While there are many positive aspects of hiring Tommy Rees as LSU’s tight ends coach, there are also potential challenges to consider. Rees has spent the majority of his coaching career as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, and while he has experience working with tight ends, moving from a coordinator role to a position coach could be a significant shift in responsibility. He would need to adjust to a different coaching dynamic, focusing on individual player development rather than coordinating an entire offense.

Additionally, Rees may be viewed as a candidate for other roles in the coaching world, potentially leading to speculation or offers from schools looking for a new offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach. LSU would need to ensure that Rees feels comfortable in the tight ends coach role and has a clear path for career progression within the program.