Notre Dame Football: 3 early storylines heading into 2020 season

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Brian Kelly talks to Tommy Rees #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2013, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

3. Tommy Rees’ evolution as offensive coordinator

One of the reasons Brian Kelly parted ways with former offensive coordinator Chip Long in December was to give the new guy time to install his game plan and use the Camping World Bowl and the extra practices before the game to lay the groundwork for the 2020 season.

There is a frank question that needs answering: Will Tommy Rees have the opportunity to put his stamp on this offense, or is he running Kelly’s offense? Kelly cited philosophical differences between him and Long as the primary reason he was asked to move on from the Irish.

Rees does not have much experience as a coach or coordinator. He began his career at Northwestern as a graduate assistant after a short stint in the NFL. He then joined the San Diego Chargers as an offensive assistant. He’s been with Kelly and the Irish the last three seasons as a quarterbacks coach before his promotion before the bowl game.

Kelly mentioned before the bowl game he wanted to get back to the “DNA” of Notre Dame football. We’ll see how Rees helps him do that.

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