All he needed was time to learn Nick Saban, Jalen Milroe, and the offensive pieces Alabama had.
People were ready to crown Tommy Rees the wort offensive coordinator hire of the Saban era, but the 31-year-old has found his groove, and the Crimson Tide will play for a Southeastern Conference Championship. He has had to develop much like the players he is coaching; however, Rees has Alabama playing its best right now. After showing new wrinkles on offense versus Tennessee, the Tide has scored 40+ points in back-to-back SEC games. Rees coached Milroe to guide Alabama to 42 points against LSU, and the offense totaled 49 points in a matchup with Kentucky. Milroe became the first Alabama quarterback in school history to have four rushing touchdowns versus the Tigers, and he follows up by being the first one in history to have three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores in a game against the Wildcats. The sophomore joined Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young as the third Crimson Tide quarterback in the Saban era to be responsible for six touchdowns in a game. Rees has Milroe legitimately in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but his offense is featuring more players now than at the start of the season.
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Wide receivers such as Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law are more involved.
Law, a sophomore, has made impactful plays since the Tennessee game. Prentice, a sophomore, had a game-high 74 yards receiving against Kentucky — including a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Amari Niblack, a tight end, caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season versus the Cats. Roydell Williams, a senior running back, got involved in the passing game with a 26-yard touchdown reception against Kentucky. Milroe has ten touchdowns in two games, including seven rushing scores.
He has become more decisive with his runs and passes.
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Rees’ coaching and game planning have slowed things down for Milroe. He is reading defenses better, the offense has rhythm, and Alabama fans now see Rees was the right coaching hire. He is only going to get better as the Tide has Auburn and Georgia (SEC Championship) as its final two marquee games before the College Football Playoff. Alabama returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium this week to face Chattanooga, and Rees is hopeful for a third consecutive 40+ point game for the offense.
He has the Tide confidently rolling now.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
