Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Kelly Promotes Rees, Taylor

Following a third-straight 10-win season, Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly has announced his intention to make a pair of promotions on the offensive side of the ball. Tom Rees, current quarterbacks coach and former record-setting Irish signal-caller, will be named the John and Bobbie Arlotta offensive coordinator. Additionally, after a season as running backs coach, Lance Taylor will be elevated to the run game coordinator position.

“After an extensive national search, I’m proud to name Tom Rees our next offensive coordinator,” said Kelly. “Tom’s ability to connect with our players and staff and accepting and embracing the incredible opportunity in being the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame made him the right choice. While Tom’s leadership ability and knowledge of the game was evident, it was his humble approach to his own development and desire to continue to grow and learn that were also key factors that set him apart in a talented pool of candidates.”

Since his return to his alma mater as the Bob and Leslie Mohr Family Quarterbacks Coach, Rees has helped the Irish compile a 33-6 record and the most wins (33) in program history in a three-year span (tying 1988-1990 seasons).

In three seasons overseeing the quarterbacks, Rees has seen his pupils set numerous program records, including season completion percentage (68.2% – Ian Book), rushing yards in a game by a quarterback (207 – Brandon Wimbush) and (5 – Ian Book). Furthermore, Book and Oklahoma Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts were the only two quarterbacks in the country in 2019 to account for 500 rushing yards, 3,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in the regular season.

Taylor’s promotion as run game coordinator comes after a season in which the Irish averaged their fourth-highest yards per carry (4.9) in the last 25 years. Senior RB Tony Jones Jr. set a school record for longest rush by an Irish player in a bowl game, rumbling 84 yards for a score against Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl.

“Lance’s ability to gain consensus within the staff by implementing a running game plan that fits our personnel and is tactically and technically sound makes him a great fit for this position.” Kelly stated.

The promotions are effective at the conclusion of the University’s standard employment process.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

REES’ RESUME

  • Notre Dame (Offensive Coordinator) – 2020 – Present
  • Notre Dame (Quarterbacks Coach) – 2017-Present
  • San Diego Chargers (Offensive Assistant) – 2016
    • The Chargers offense ranked t-seventh in NFL in passing (262.4), ninth in scoring (25.6), t-12th in yards/play (5.6) and 14th in total offense (356.8). San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 4,386 yards and 33 TDs, which ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in the NFL.
  • Northwestern University (Offensive Graduate Assistant) – 2015
    • The Wildcats went 10-3 and finished the year ranked No. 23. Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson became the first quarterback in school history to lead the Wildcats to 10 wins in his first season as a starter.
  • Notre Dame (Student-Athlete) – 2010-2014
    • Went 23-8 (.733) as Irish starting quarterback over his career. His 23 victories as the starting signal-caller are the seventh-most in school history. He threw for 7,670 career yards and 61 touchdowns. Only one quarterback has ever collected more touchdown passes than Rees, while just two have thrown for more yards.
    • A native of Lake Bluff, Illinois, Rees earned his bachelor’s degree in management consulting from the Mendoza College of Business in 2013.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

TAYLOR’S RESUME

  • Notre Dame (Run Game Coordinator) – 2020 – Present
  • Notre Dame (Running Backs Coach) – 2019-Present
  • Carolina Panthers (Wide Receivers Coach) – 2017-18
    • Taylor oversaw development of newcomers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. The tandem registered 94 catches for 1,282 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.
  • Stanford University (Running Backs Coach) – 2014-16
    • Named 2015 FootballScoop.com Running Backs Coach of the Year and played a key role in the development of 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up and Associated Press Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey.
    • Stanford set school record in 2015 in rushing yards (3,132), and two of the other 13 best rushing seasons in Stanford history came under Taylor’s guidance.
  • Carolina Panthers (Assistant Wide Receivers Coach) – 2013
  • New York Jets (Assistant Tight Ends/Quality Control Coach) – 2012
  • New York Jets (Offensive Quality Control Coach) – 2011
  • New York Jets (Coaching Intern) – 2010
  • Appalachian State (Wide Receivers Coach) – 2009
  • University of Alabama (Graduate Assistant) – 2007-08
  • Arena Football League (Player) – 2004-06
  • University of Alabama (Student-Athlete) – 1999-2003
    • Played in 38 consecutive games and served as ST captain as a senior.
    • A native of Mt. Vernon, Alabama, Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in management in 2003.