Following the completion of their second straight National Championship, the Georgia Bulldogs have officially passed Alabama as kings of college football.
Don’t think for one single second that sits well with Tide head coach Nick Saban.
Saban was a part of ESPN’s National Championship coverage and it seemed like he was the only one who had a tougher night than TCU as the Horned Frogs were slaughtered 65-7 by Georgia.
Saban sat helplessly in his analyst chair and was forced to listen to the entire college football world go gaga over the Bulldogs and discuss how they are the “new Alabama.”
There’s no doubt Saban is on a mission this year to reclaim the throne of college football.
Finalizing the #1 recruiting class in the country last week was a good start.
He followed that up by hiring young, hot-shot Tommy Rees as OC and old friend Kevin Steele as DC…
Kevin Steele has accepted the job to be the next DC at Alabama
Head Coach: Nick Saban
OC: Tommy Rees
DC: Kevin SteeleIn Nick Saban we trust 🐘❤️ pic.twitter.com/iXCE3u1j2Z
— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) February 5, 2023
After losing Bill O’Brien to the Patriots, Saban set his sights on Tommy Rees who was really making a name for himself at Notre Dame.
Brian Kelly tried unsuccessfully to lure Rees with him to LSU – Rees staying at Notre Dame was a great show of loyalty by the former Irish quarterback.
But this time around, Saban came calling and wouldn’t take no for an answer…
New blood, Saban knows he has to keep up with this generation. Smart move and not fired and hired retread.
Rees will have more talent than he’s ever seen!
Roll Tide— Darroll Freeman (@DarrollFreeman2) February 5, 2023
One of the things Rees will look to do is turn back the clock and implement an old-school smashmouth style of offense which should be music to the ears of Bama fans…
“It may not be with one running back, but you are going to get heavy personnel and a downhill rushing attack…It is going to look like Alabama in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012… – Greg McElroy on new Alabama OC Tommy Rees… pic.twitter.com/hSyFP0j7zK
— Roll Tide #18™ 🐘 (@jerrysandersRTR) February 4, 2023
Tommy Rees may be a man after Alabama fans' hearts.
This is the pinned tweet on his profile 😂 pic.twitter.com/viSf3Zl2tD
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) February 5, 2023
Count 2024 5-star QB commit Julian Sayin among the many supporters of the hire…
Julian Sayin is a fan of the Tommy Rees offensive coordinator hire 💪 pic.twitter.com/QdxuW8ujfE
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) February 4, 2023
“In Saban We Trust” is a real thing in the state of Alabama…
It took me about 5 minutes to be 100% sold and behind Tommy Rees. He’s going to do great things at The University if named the OC. I feel it.
— BARSTOOL BAMA (@BarstoolAlabama) February 2, 2023
The same excitement is shared over the hire of Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator…
Took me about 10 seconds to be convinced of Kevin Steele. I like the hire.
— BARSTOOL BAMA (@BarstoolAlabama) February 6, 2023
But as always, not everyone sees eye to eye…
Absolutely hilarious. Alabama could have almost anybody and they went with Rees And Steele. 🤣🤣🤣
— ⬇️ (@kirkisbetter) February 6, 2023
Circling back to Rees – it’s a tough blow for the Irish to lose such a young, promising coordinator who bled green his whole adult life.
But most fans aren’t holding his departure against him…
I don’t love it but I don’t fault him in the least. 30 years old, premier gig, huge launching point for a lot of careers, highest paid coordinator in the the country by a lot. How could he say no?
— Josh Ross (@jrossND) February 4, 2023
Maybe its sour grapes, maybe its his honest opinion, but Hall of Famer and Notre Dame great Tim Brown was clear he doesn’t hold Rees in as high regard as most people…
@NDFootball This is a great day for Irish football and maybe even a better day for Tommy Rees. I've been around a lot of offenses, but the Irish offense last year, with maybe the exception of the North Carolina game, was extremely predictable. Seeing the offense struggle told me
— Tim Brown (@81TimBrown) February 5, 2023
Time will tell, but Nick Saban is on a mission and it certainly seems like he made 2 excellent hires.