Report: Former Alabama OC Tommy Rees to Be Hired as Browns' Tight Ends Coach

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly working to hire former Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as the team's next tight ends coach, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

Jackson noted that Rees will likely have a role in crafting Cleveland's passing attack, as the 31-year-old also served as the quarterbacks coach for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Prior to his time in Tuscaloosa, he was Notre Dame's quarterbacks coach from 2017 through 2022. Rees was expected to leave Alabama following the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban.

He was originally considered a top candidate to replace Saban, per Kennington Smith III and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. However, the school ultimately chose former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. Once it was revealed that DeBoer was reportedly adding former Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to his staff in the same role, Rees' time with the program seemed to be over (via ESPN's Chris Low).

Alabama ranked No. 4 in the SEC by averaging 34.0 points per game, with the team's offense excelling during the final few weeks of the regular season to send the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff. Throughout the five games prior to the CFP, Rees' offense averaged 42.2 points each week.

This included a surprising 27-24 win over Georgia in the SEC Championship game, marking the highest scoring total that the Bulldogs allowed during their entire 2023 season.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was tremendous in Rees' system, throwing for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. He added 531 yards and 12 more scores on the ground, resulting in a sixth-place Heisman Trophy finish.

Rees will work with tight end David Njoku in Cleveland, who is coming off a career year. The 27-year-old earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023, hauling in 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns.