Alabama OC Tommy Rees emerges as potential head coach candidate at Northwestern

As Northwestern searches for a new head football coach, one potential name to watch is new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

On Monday, the Northwestern administration decided to part ways with its head coach Pat Fitzgerald amid a hazing scandal. Fitzgerald had spent the last 17 years serving as Northwestern’s head coach.

As college football pundits begin to list candidates, one with Alabama ties has emerged: Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman (subscription required) felt Rees would be a good fit for the Northwestern program.

“Rees knows plenty about what it’s like to work in a high academic program, having quarterbacked and then coached at Notre Dame,” writes Feldman. “That would be a huge plus.”

Rees is quite familiar with the Chicago area having played for Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois. His tenure as a quarterback and offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish only increases his chances of being the right fit for the job.

Northwestern has historically been a competitive program in the Big Ten. In recent years, things have not been as easy for the Wildcats given the recent changes to NIL and the transfer portal.

Needless to say, Rees has been effective as a recruiter and as a coordinator. He landed talented prospects in his time at Notre Dame and has already made some splashes in the transfer portal at Alabama.

While Rees potentially being considered for the Northwestern job is all speculation, it is certainly something to monitor for Alabama fans.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program as the 2023 regular season approaches.

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