Could Tommy Rees Be in Line to Lead Michigan? A Familiar Face Emerges as a Candidate After Moore’s Firing
The Michigan Wolverines are suddenly in the market for a new head coach, and one of the names surfacing in early conversations is a familiar one to college football fans: Tommy Rees.
Rees, the former Notre Dame quarterback and offensive coordinator, is reportedly on the radar in Ann Arbor following the abrupt firing of Sherrone Moore. Michigan parted ways with Moore on Wednesday night after an internal investigation found he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member-an off-field issue that has quickly shifted the program’s focus to finding a stable, forward-thinking replacement.
Enter Rees, a 33-year-old with a fast-rising coaching résumé and plenty of ties to both the college and pro levels. According to reports, Rees is among the candidates being considered for the Wolverines’ vacancy-a move that would certainly raise eyebrows given his deep roots at Notre Dame, one of Michigan’s historic rivals.
From South Bend to the Big House?
Rees’ coaching path has been anything but linear, but it’s been impressive. After playing quarterback at Notre Dame under Brian Kelly, he got his coaching start as a graduate assistant in the Big Ten at Northwestern.
From there, he climbed the ladder quickly, returning to Notre Dame as quarterbacks coach and eventually offensive coordinator. He later took the same role at Alabama, where he worked under Nick Saban, and most recently made the jump to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.
While things haven’t exactly gone smoothly in Cleveland over the past two seasons, it’s worth noting that the Browns’ struggles aren’t solely on Rees’ shoulders. The situation there has been murky at best, and his name continues to come up in high-level coaching searches, which speaks to how he’s viewed within coaching circles.
Rees was reportedly a serious candidate at North Carolina last year and had been on the radar at UCLA as well. That kind of sustained interest suggests he’s not just a flash-in-the-pan coordinator-he’s a coach on the rise who’s being groomed for a top job.
Would Michigan Make the Leap?
Hiring Rees would be a bold move for Michigan, no doubt. He’s young, and while his résumé is strong, he hasn’t been a head coach yet. But that’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially in a college football landscape that’s increasingly open to fresh perspectives and new energy on the sidelines.
An interview would make sense, especially given the timing. Michigan needs to move quickly to stabilize the program and reassure recruits, boosters, and fans that the Wolverines remain on solid footing. Rees brings name recognition, a track record of working with quarterbacks, and experience at some of the highest levels of the sport-traits that check a lot of boxes for a program looking to stay nationally relevant.
And let’s not ignore the subplot here: a former Notre Dame quarterback potentially leading Michigan? That’s the kind of twist that adds fuel to one of college football’s most storied rivalries.
The Irish and Wolverines may not play every year anymore, but the history between the two programs runs deep. Seeing Rees on the Michigan sideline would certainly add a new chapter to that rivalry.
Other Interest in the Big Ten
Rees’ name has come up in other Big Ten coaching conversations as well. Just last week, reports indicated that Penn State had interest in speaking with him before ultimately hiring Matt Campbell. That kind of attention from multiple top-tier programs suggests Rees is inching closer to landing a head coaching job-it’s just a matter of where and when.
For Michigan, the decision now is whether they want to be the program that gives him that first shot.
The Wolverines have a proud tradition, high expectations, and a fanbase that demands excellence. Rees would be stepping into one of the most scrutinized jobs in college football. But if Michigan believes he’s ready, the timing might be right to take that leap.
One thing’s for sure: this coaching search just got a whole lot more interesting.