Justneedme81
Member
So, now you got me looking...In similar situations with personnel, both O'Brien and Rees were a lot alike in their offensive approaches this past season. The base personnel? Identical. There were some differences (like TE use as mentioned) but that was based on personnel—who were the playmakers. Both used a 3 wide set with a TE which occasionally morphed into what we all know as Bama's Ace set.
Coincidentally, the season before last gave both coaches more skilled players. The offense for ND, like O'Brien's at Bama, was among the national leaders in running and passing with efficiency numbers in the top ten. Again, running the same base personnel.
As you let that sink in ...
There is a benefit here for the offense ... it's an easier transition to a new coordinator: far more easier than we saw with the Nuss to Kiffin transition.
5 reasons Alabama fans should be thrilled about Tommy Rees hiring
He may not have been the top option for Nick Saban but in hiring Tommy Rees, Alabama hit it out of the park.
fightingirishwire.usatoday.com
Rees was calling an entirely shorthanded offense the entire year and as it went on, he had things humming despite playing shorthanded. Starting quarterback Buchner got hurt in the second half of the second game and Drew Pyne, bless his little Rudy-type heart, wasn’t a viable solution. Yet with an extreme lack of developed talent at receiver, two true sophomores starting at his offensive tackle spots (that were both great by years end), and having to replace Kyren Williams in the backfield, Rees and Notre Dame schemed their way to success. This team was never built to score 40 points a game last year when fully healthy. They also averaged 38.7 points per game over their final seven contests (6-1 record including a bowl win over South Carolina).